Dominique & Romain Collet 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 750ml

Valmur is one of the seven Grand Cru climats of Chablis, and it’s often mentioned alongside Les Clos as a candidate for the appellation’s best. The importer describes Valmur as having “depth and aromatic generosity like its powerhouse counterpart to the east, Les Clos,” and for Chablis it’s a warm site, typically “more floral and fruity, compared with cooler sites.” Domaine Dominique & Romain Collet owns a tiny 0.51-hectare parcel, planted in 1973 in the middle of the Grand Cru, and certified organic.

The vineyard has a distinguishing feature: its aspect is west-northwest, which is unusual for Valmur. That western exposure tempers the warmth of the site, allowing, as the importer explains, “longer hang-time and more refined stone-fruit character.” As a result, Romain Collet is often the last to pick in Valmur. In the cellar, both his Grand Crus are treated the same way: fermented and aged in used Burgundy barrels for about 18 months before bottling, so oak shapes the texture rather than the flavor. The result, the importer says, is “generous and mouth-filling ripe pit-fruit with bright lemon minerality,” and they call the 2023 “a profound glass of wine now that will gain depth and complexity as the years go by.”

The Collet family has been farming in Chablis for generations, with Charles Collet, Romain’s great-great grandfather, credited as the first Collet to make a mark in Chablis winemaking. Today the domaine farms about 40 hectares and has bottled its own wines since 1954. For context on the house style, the 2020 Valmur was described as showcasing “generous and mouth-filling ripe pit-fruit flavors with bright lemon minerality,” with “weight and balance on the palate” that “seamlessly integrate the density of fruits.” It’s a richer, rounder, more fruit-generous Grand Cru than the steely end of Chablis, with the lemon-and-chalk tension to balance it, and a natural match for lobster, crab, scallops, and rich fish in cream sauce.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Dominique & Romain Collet 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is produced by Domaine Dominique & Romain Collet in Chablis, Burgundy, France. It is 100% Chardonnay from a 0.51-hectare parcel in Valmur, planted in 1973, with a west-northwest aspect, certified organic by Bureau Veritas. It is fermented and aged about 18 months in used Burgundy barrels before bottling. 750ml.

Critics Reviews

No critic scores are published for the 2023 vintage.

Importer tasting notes (APS Wine), 2023 vintage:
“Generous and mouth-filling ripe pit-fruit with bright lemon minerality. Romain’s Valmur Grand Cru 2023 is a profound glass of wine now that will gain depth and complexity as the years go by.”

Importer tasting notes, 2020 vintage (house-style context):
“The Dominique & Romain Collet Chablis Grand Cru Valmur Chardonnay showcases generous and mouth-filling ripe pit-fruit flavors with bright lemon minerality. The weight and balance on the palate seamlessly integrate the density of fruits. Romain’s Valmur Grand Cru is a profound glass of wine that is enjoyable now and will continue to gain depth and complexity with age.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Ripe stone fruit and floral notes, with lemon and a hint of toasted nut from old barrels.

Palate
Generous and mouth-filling, with ripe pit fruit and bright lemon minerality, with density and tension in balance.

Finish
Long and mineral, with chalk and citrus, building depth with age.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Lobster, crab, and scallops
• Turbot and rich white fish
• Roast chicken in cream sauce
• Comté and aged cheeses

Serving Note

Serve lightly chilled, at about 10-12°C, in a large white wine glass.