Chablis Grand Cru Wine: Best Bottles, Prices, Taste, Winemaking

Chablis Grand Cru is an appellation in Burgundy known for the highest quality Chardonnay wines in Chablis. 

These age-worthy whites have an exceptionally complex character - a result of the unique limestone rich terroir in the region.

Let’s uncover everything about Chablis Grand Cru including its various climats, winemaking techniques, ideal food pairings, and the best Chablis Grand Cru wines to buy in 2021.

What is Chablis Grand Cru and How Is It Different from Chablis Premier Cru?

Chablis Grand Cru is a top-tier appellation in Chablis producing 1%-3% of the region’s Chardonnay whites. Its wines are characterized by intense citrus flavors and a rich minerality, distinctive from other Chablis wine styles. 

The Chablis Grand Cru appellation consists of seven vineyards (climats) and is close to Burgundy’s famous Cote d’Or wine region.

Difference Between Grand Cru and Premier Cru

The grapes from the Grand Cru’s rich soil produce more complex and age-worthy wines that can last upto 15 to 20 years.) 

Also, as the Grand Cru grapes have more sun exposure, they achieve greater maturation and produce wines with higher alcohol content (11%.) 

In contrast, the Premier Cru wines are less complex with lower aging potential (5 to 10 years.) They also have comparatively lower alcohol content (10-10.5%) because of the earlier grape maturation.

Is Chablis Grand Cru Better Than Premier Cru?

The greater richness, maturity, and complexity clearly make Grand Cru Chablis wines superior to Premier Cru vintages. 

But Grand Crus become fully expressive only after about five years of bottling. In their youth, Premier Crus offer more nuanced and rich flavors and aromas than most Grand Cru wines. 

Always select the wine based on the Chablis producers instead of the appellations. With attentive viticulture, experienced winemaking, and appropriate aging, a Premier Cru can be comparable to a Grand Cru wine.

8 Exceptional Chablis Grand Cru Wines

Here are our 8 favorite Chablis Grand Cru wines:

1. 2002 Domaine Francois Raveneau Les Clos ($2,494)

The 2002 vintage of this mesmerizing white wine offers enchanting orange-rind, apricot, and peanut flavors balanced by a tangy citrus fruit nose.

2. 1983 Domaine Francois Raveneau Valmur ($1,918)

This incredible Chablis Grand Cru vintage is notable for its salinity, dried fruit and green apple notes, and white flower aromas.

3. 1990 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Les Clos ($1,199)

This French wine has a magnificent lemon curd and chamomile nose and sharp acidity. The great wine presents a wholesome palate of pepper, pineapple, and mango notes.

4. 2000 Domaine Francois Raveneau Blanchot ($831)

This outstanding Grand Cru Chablis offers a delectable taste of candied lemon and dried pineapple flavors offset by taut flint, smoke, and white blossom aromas.

5. 2002 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Les Preuses ($450)

Here’s a remarkable dry white wine vintage with a stone fruit aroma bouquet and honeyed lime, yellow plum, and grapefruit flavor notes.

6. 2017 Patrick Piuze Valmur ($151)

This Grand Cru vintage presents an exciting bouquet of citrus and smoke along with a refreshing peach, orange, and lemon zest palate.

7. 2008 Patrick Piuze Bougros Cote de Bouqueyreaux ($149)

The 2008 vintage of this remarkable dry white has great length, balanced acidity, a smoky nose and delicious dried fruit and candied lemon flavors.

8. 2017 Domaine Testut Grenouille ($105)

This Grand Cru wine has addictive white fruit, winter melon, and daisy aromas with a strong minerality. The great wine offers a tangy taste of fresh apples, jalapenos, and lime flavors.

Best Food Pairings for Chablis Grand Cru Wines

Chablis Grand Cru is an excellent accompaniment to seafood, salmon, turbot, and white meat. This French wine works well with cream sauce, different cheeses, and as an aperitif.

Let’s take a look at the terroir and the winemaking practices as well.

Chablis Grand Cru Climats

The Grand Cru appellation spans over 101 hectares and is situated across the Serein River opposite the Chablis village. 

The Grand Cru Chablis vineyards are located 150 to 250 meters above sea level and have a terroir of clay marl and Kimmeridgian soil. These cru vineyard sites are located on south-facing slopes and have better sun exposure than other Chablis climats. 

The seven Chablis vineyards include: 

• Les Clos
• Cru Bougros
• Vaudesir 
• Blanchot
• Les Preuses
• Valmur
• Grenouilles 

Besides these, there is one more unofficial Chablis Grand Cru climat called La Moutonne. However, the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO) does not recognize the vineyard as part of the appellation. 

Chablis Grand Cru Winemaking

The Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested, crushed, and fermented in temperature-controlled (18 to 20°C) stainless steel tanks for 7 to 10 days. 

To get a softer texture, the wine undergoes a secondary, malolactic fermentation.

The fermented wine is then aged in the cellar where it rests on its fine lees. This enhances its flavors and complexity. Chablis Grand Cru is sometimes aged in oak barrels that add savory undertones to the wine’s palate. 

Chablis Grand Cru: The Unrivaled Chardonnay Star of Burgundy

Chablis Grand Cru wines are the best among the elite dry whites of Chablis. A bottle of this exquisite Grand Cru will prove a worthy addition to the cellar of any wine lover.

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