Home Winners > Winners 2020 > Chablis

Winner Details

Chablis

Chablis was one of the stand-out categories of last year’s competition. It couldn’t repeat 2019’s slew of medals (including nine Golds) but this was more down to a reduced number of entries – probably the result of the frost problems of 2017 – than anything else. Overall, the quality was still good.

The issue, perhaps, was more one of style. Some of these (mostly 2018s) were surprisingly fruit-driven, others in the steelier, more mineral spectrum – and our tasting teams were sometimes split on which style they preferred.

Generally, though, a strong performance from a must-list area, with commendably fair pricing throughout.

From The Tasting Teams

‘Some didn’t show personality and steeliness, which is what Chablis is all about. The best wines allow the Chablis to do its magic, and the terroir talks.’ Emanuel Pesqueira, Edwardian Hotels London

‘What I’m expecting from Chablis is tropical fruit, slight creaminess and a lasting finish with minerality, not painfully high acidity.’ Gary Newborough, The Aristologist

‘In the cheaper AC Chablis there was a lot of high acidity without evidence of fruit. At the mid-price level typical Chablis characteristics started to show: minerality, chalkiness, green apple and honey.’ Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers

‘2017 was mostly good. 2018 was a bit warm, and it could impress or not depend on the winemaking style. In general, though, Chablis can suit everyone at the right price.’ Lionel Periner, team leader

‘In the cru vineyards, the freshness was the thing that caught my eye - it gave the wines more drinkability. For me, that’s what distinguishes Chablis from all the other Chardonnay.’ Filippo Pastorini, consultant

‘Chablis is a super important category and I’m happy to see some good wines.’ Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting

‘With Chablis the price is consistent. The quality is consistent. There’s no messing around.’ Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche

‘Lovely, amazing – vive la France! A really good flight.’ Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery

 

 

Award winners

Found 18 wines

France: Chablis

Chartron et Trébuchet, Chablis 2018, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner Food Match

'Great classic Chablis offering great value, with citrus aromas and a refreshing palate with a hint of minerality.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Fresh stone fruit and crushed seashell notes on the nose, along with some grapefruit, leading to a fresh palate with bright acidity. I'd list this by the glass, either in fine dining or in a gastro pub.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£9.19 Ffarm Vintners

Domaine Paul Nicolle, Les Fourneaux, Chablis 1er Cru 2017, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

'This is well-made and integrated, with citrus at the start, then cream and a light hazelnut note on the palate, all carried by acidity, and leaving a light, flinty finish.'
Tim Handley, Royal Automobile Club.

'An elegant nose with some delicate citrus and minerality, and notes of bergamot and lemongrass. A dry palate and great creamy texture, and a refreshing finish.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

£20.12 Bibendum

Domaine Testut, Chablis, Vieilles Vignes 2018, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

'The perfect Chablis - creamy with a hint of lemon and crushed oyster shell notes, joined by some green apple and a long, steely finish. A myriad of wonderful flavours, and a perfect match with Thai crab cake.'
Emanuel Pesqueira, Edwardian Hotels London.

'This is all I expect from Chablis, with a blend of tropical and citrus fruits, joined by a touch a cream.'
Gary Newborough, The Aristologist.

£17.41 Top Selection

Savary, Chablis Sélection, Vieilles Vignes 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

'A good mineral, stony palate with zesty acidity, a driven, mineral core and a honeyed finish.'
Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers.

'This has a purity in style and lovely consistency on the palate, with hints of almond and some Muscat flavours, and a mineral finish. Perfect for seared sea scallops.'
Emanuel Pesqueira, Edwardian Hotels London.

£16.90 Domaine Savary

Savary, Chablis Sélection, Vieilles Vignes 2018, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

'Excellent value for money, with fresh aromas of citrus and a touch of fern and coriander, and a fruity palate with good acidity and perfect minerality.'
Emanuel Pesqueira, Edwardian Hotels London.

'Green apple, wild flowers, crushed stones and wet leaves on the nose, with a crisp palate and almond-driven aftertaste. A premium offering for a gastropub.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£16.90 Domaine Savary

La Chablisienne, Chablis 1er Cru, Vaillons 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

'An elegant nose of citrus, and a dry palate with great texture and a long citrus finish.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Seashells and grapefruit on the nose, along with some wet stones, leading to a palate that's fresh and vibrant, with some nutty notes on the finish.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£19.90 Bibendum

Domaine de Vauroux, Olivier Tricon, Chablis 2018, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

'Balanced yet refined, this is great value for money.'
Emanuel Pesqueira, Edwardian Hotels London.

'Wet stones, iodine and pink grapefruit on the nose, leading to a fresh palate with minerality and a good, lingering, clean finish.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

'A flinty, mineral nose and bright, ripe fruit on the palate, with a chalky, mineral finish. Fish cakes for tea.'
Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers.

£17.48 Enotria&Coe

Domaine Testut, Chablis 1er Cru, Montée de Tonnerre 2017, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

'Great! This has some ripe lemon, with hints of fresh bread and some oyster notes, with a saline finish.'
Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery.

'Fresh flowers, lemon and orange blossom, as well as some green tea, with good texture on the palate.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'There's racy acidity right through this wine, carrying the sharp citrus throughout, and on to some dry slate and flint on the finish.'
Tim Handley, Royal Automobile Club.

£22.86 Top Selection

Savary, Chablis Sélection, Vieilles Vignes 2016, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'Flint and gunpowder, with a building intensity to the fruit, with notes of pineapple, mango and starfruit, all covered in lemon cream.'
Tim Handley, Royal Automobile Club.

'A rich and delicious wine with hints of vanilla, great acidity and notes of apples and lemons that demand shellfish.'
Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£16.90 Domaine Savary

J Moreau & Fils, Chablis 2018, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'This has smoky minerality and rich citrus tart notes, with a hint of cream and an intensity of fruit, moving lightly into some tropical fruit to round it out. The acidity is linear and strong, carrying all the aromatics into the finish, where it lingers.'
Tim Handley, Royal Automobile Club.

'A delicious example, with richness, body and great acid. Needs some dover sole with lemon butter.'
Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£17.55 Matthew Clark

Domaine Jean Defaix, Chablis 1er Cru, Les Vaillons 2017, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'Beautiful, super-clean intensity of aromas of ripe and juicy fruit, some creaminess on the palate, and some stony minerality.'
Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche.

'Fresh, clean and genuine, with notes of white flowers and lemons, and some good acidity and length.'
Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery.

£22.15 Bibendum

Jean Collet et Fils, Domaine Costal, Chablis 2018, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'Citrus and fresh, with bright and rich acidity, notes of banana custard and a squeeze of pineapple.'
Tim Handley, Royal Automobile Club.

'Lemon, green apple and pear notes, with mouth-watering acidity.'
Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

'A touch of walnut on the palate, along with clean, vibrant fruits - a match for smoked salmon and cream cheese.'
Gary Newborough, The Aristologist.

£17.48 Bibendum

Domaine Jean Defaix, Chablis 1er Cru Les Beugnons 2018, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'This is salty on the nose, with some wet leaves and white flowers to complement, along with pink grapefruit and oregano. The structured palate is creamy and well-balanced, with a herbal aftertaste.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

'Citrus, white fruit and white flowers on the nose, with a rich palate with some gentle acidity and a hint of alcohol.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

£22.91 Bibendum

Simonnet-Febvre, Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2018, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

Domaine Jean Defaix, Chablis 2018, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£16.05 Bibendum

La Chablisienne, Chablis La Sereine 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£16.03 Bibendum

Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis 1er Cru, Montée de Tonnerre 2016, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£27.78 Enotria&Coe

Domaine de Vauroux, Chablis 1er Cru, Montée de Tonnerre 2017, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£21.19 Enotria&Coe