2022 Christian Moreau - Chablis Vaillon (750ml)

The Moreau name has been tied to Chablis for six generations. After the family négociant house, J. Moreau et Fils, passed into corporate ownership, Christian Moreau reclaimed the family vineyards and in 2001 founded Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils with his son Fabien, a Dijon-trained oenologist who took over winemaking in 2002. Today the organically farmed 11.6-hectare estate holds parcels in four grand crus, including the Clos des Hospices monopole in Les Clos.

The domaine's 4.5-hectare holding in premier cru Vaillon lies on the left bank of the Serein, facing south and southeast on Kimmeridgian clay studded with tiny fossilized oysters. Grapes are hand-picked, sorted, and fermented with native yeasts, with 55 percent in stainless steel and 45 percent aged eight months in older barrels, less than 5 percent new. The 2022 was the first vintage in five years without frost.

Lively satsuma and citrus lead a mineral-driven nose, joined by white flowers. The palate is fresh and precise, with a fine thread of acidity, a subtly honeyed texture, and a spicy lemongrass note that lingers on the finish. Enjoy it with oysters on the half shell or grilled halibut.