Chablis Premier Cru: 8 Luscious Wines, Taste, Terroir

Chablis Premier Cru is a white wine appellation of Burgundy, producing some of the most expressive French white wines. 

Chablis 1er Cru wines are made from the Chardonnay grape variety and offer rich floral aromas with a balanced palate.

Let’s explore the Chablis Premier Cru wines - their taste, some serving tips, eight elegant Chablis Premier Cru bottles, terroir and winemaking, and how Chablis Premier Cru wine is different from Grand Cru.

Chablis Premier Cru Wine: Tasting Notes

The Chablis 1er Cru vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian soil in cool climate regions near the Serein river, which gives them an exotic flair and structure.

Flaunting a pale golden hue, Chablis Premier Cru wines offer a bouquet of mineral and floral aromas. On the palate, these Chardonnay wines are well-structured and have a long, beautiful finish.

However, Premier Cru Chablis wines from different climats have unique characteristics. For example, Fourchaume wines have strong orchard fruit flavors, while Mont Mains wines display crisp acidity.

The Chablis Premier Cru wines pair excellently with cooked oysters, grilled fish, fine poultry, sausages, and aged goat cheese.

8 Exquisite Chablis Premier Cru Wines

Here are eight stunning Chablis Premier Cru wines you should seek out:

1. 2008 Domaine Francois Raveneau Montee de Tonnerre ($644)
2. 2007 Domaine Francois Raveneau Vaillons ($498)
3. 2015 Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux ($417)
4. 2010 Domaine Francois Raveneau Monts Mains ($476)
5. 2010 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chapelot ($356)
6. 2008 Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux ($332)
7. 2005 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Vaillons ($277)
8. 2000 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Sechet ($223)

1. 2008 Domaine Francois Raveneau Montee de Tonnerre ($644)

Saltwater and white flower aromas characterize this refined Chablis 1er Cru wine. It possesses a silky palate with a seductive finish.

2. 2007 Domaine Francois Raveneau Vaillons ($498)

While lemon peel and sea breeze aromas greet the nose, a bright acidity tingles the palate with  an oyster shell-infused finish.

3. 2015 Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux ($417)

This Premier Cru Chablis wine features a toasty nose with hints of pear and white flowers. On the palate, the vintage exhibits vibrant flavors with a mineral and fruity finish.

4. 2010 Domaine Francois Raveneau Monts Mains ($476)

While notes of wet stone and spice characterize the nose of this French wine, hints of lemon and jasmine dominate its palate.

5. 2010 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chapelot ($356)

Characterized by a lovely bouquet of peach and white flowers, this Chablis Premier Cru wine has a satiny palate with a racy finish.

6. 2008 Domaine Francois Raveneau Butteaux ($332)

The palate features nectarine and apricot flavors against a mineral background. On the nose, lemon, ginger, and pastry cream aromas combine to offer a seductive bouquet.

7. 2005 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Vaillons ($277)

This vintage features a rich aroma of yellow peach, apricot, and other fruit notes, giving way to a sweet and balanced palate.

8. 2000 Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Sechet ($223)

This wine has a concentrated and sweet palate, accompanied by hazelnut, lemon, and acacia flower scents.

Should You Invest In Chablis Premier Cru Wines?

Chablis Premier Cru wines get brilliant ratings from critics, thanks to their exceptional quality and charming flavors. Robert Parker gave the 2015 Domain Francois Raveneau Butteaux wine 95 points.

Besides, Chablis Premier Cru wines show commendable price appreciations. For instance, the price of 2008 Domaine Francois Raveneau Montee de Tonnerre grew by 119%, from $290 to $640, between 2019-2021.

To top it all, these wine bottles can be cellared for 5-10 years.

In short, if you’re looking to invest, the Chablis 1er Cru wines are perfect for your wine portfolio.

But what makes them better than basic Chablis wines?

Chablis Premier Cru: Terroir, Winemaking

There are 40 Premier Cru Chablis climats (vineyard sites) situated mainly on the slopes of the Serein river comprising primarily Kimmeridgian limestone soil. 

The Kimmeridgian soil of Chablis vineyards contains deposits of fossilized oyster shells which gives the Chardonnay vine plantings great structure and adds finesse to the wine.

Some major Premier Crus climats on the right bank of the Serein river are Fourchaume, Montee de Tonnerre, and Vaucoupin. And on the left bank, Vaillons, Monts Mains, and Vosgros are some of the major ones.

While basic Chablis is fermented in stainless steel vats, most  1er Cru Chablis winemakers use the oak barrel for fermentation to impart vanilla flavors. Also, the wines also go through malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity.

How Is Chablis Premier Cru Different From Chablis Grand Cru?

The Chablis Grand Cru vineyards produce finer fruit that results in complex wines with a rich flavor. You’ll notice that a Grand Cru wine offers more richness, better depth, higher minerality, and greater clarity when compared to its Premier Cru counterparts.

On the other hand, Premier Cru wines of the Chablis appellation are more distinctive, embodying the unique character of a particular climat with an intense oak character.

Celebrate With A Bottle Of Chablis Premier Cru

Chablis Premier Cru appellation produces some of the most distinctive vintage white wines perfect for your next celebration.

If you’re keen on adding Chablis Premier Cru, Grand Cru wine, Pinot Noir, or Champagne from a prestigious winemaker to your collection, you should do it through a trustworthy wine investment platform like Vinovest.