Chablis is the perfect spring wine

Chablis has long been one of my favorite wines. As a lover of all things oceanic, I feel for these wines when I discovered them as a young 20-something. The best ones reminded me of oyster shells, lemon slices, and getting rolled around beneath the waves. I was hooked.

All these years later, I still keep up with them, checking in on the vintage, preparing wines for summer seafood and gatherings with other Chablis-loving friends. And after a good day of surfing, in my book there is nothing better than a crisp, nervy Chablis.

So I was happy to receive a few Chablis releases for this report, thee “entry-level” Chablis wines that overdeliver, and a 1er Cru. I’d be stoked to have any of these on my table this spring with some seafood and good company. Spring has sprung -- enjoy!

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted single-blind.

2018 Domaine Corinne et Jean Pierre Grossot Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
SRP: $27
Rich yellow color. Classic aromas of limes, lemon and papaya with a nice dose of salty, briny, shell tones. Zippy on the palate with some nice depth and texture, plenty of fresh citrus fruit. Flinty, salty, chalky vibes add complexity. This is fun and fresh but sports a lot of complexity, too. (90 points)

2019 Camille & Laurent Schaller Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
SRP: $23
Light yellow color. Gorgeous nose of chalk, sea salt, hay, white flowers, over top of lemons and limes. Crisp but nice and creamy with lemons and yellow apples. Pleasant waxy tones balance well off racy chalk, limestone, and there are this pretty floral and honey tones. Clear and classic, a lot going on. (89 points)

2019 Domaine du Colombier Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
SRP: $20
Light yellow color. The nose is a mix of lemons topped in honey and chamomile with some chalky, minty, stony tones. Bright and fun, fresh acidity balances some nice creamy pears and yellow apple fruit. Focused and light with salty, stone tones. A solid intro Chablis with some pleasant creaminess and friendly appeal. (88 points)

2018 Domaine Ventoura Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
SRP: $36
Light yellow color. Lovely salinity and chalk dust elements on the nose, slate, oyster shells, honey and flowers, a whole lot to accent the lemon and green apple fruit. Crisp and nervy on the palate with deep texture, lovely interplay between the zesty acidity. Lemons, green apple and kiwi fruit play well off of flinty, oyster shell, saline tones. Clear, fresh, mineral-laden finish. I’d love to see this in five years. (91 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.