Chablis 2024 Domaine Clément Lavallée

The Chablis 2024 from Domaine Clément Lavallée is the most approachable and immediately seductive wine in the domaine's Chablis range, the bottle through which many lovers first discover this rising producer. Less austere than the 45° or Les Ardilliers, this village Chablis nonetheless embodies all the qualities that define the domaine's signature: straight, pure wines without artifice, from non-synthetic viticulture and restrained winemaking. The 2024 vintage in Chablis, marked by a remarkable natural freshness and grapes of a quality that Clément himself describes as among the finest he has ever brought in, reads directly in the glass with a tension and vivacity that is particularly striking.

Terroir and vineyard

This Chablis comes from several parcels in the Chablis finage, situated mainly around Courgis, neighbours to those of Thomas Pico at Domaine Pattes Loup and De Moor. The vines, between thirty and forty-five years old depending on the parcel, are planted on characteristic Kimmeridgian soils of the appellation, composed of clays and fossiliferous limestones dating back 150 million years, rich in marine shell debris whose geological presence translates directly in the glass into iodised minerality, fine salinity and freshness that are the absolute signature of Chablis. The vines are farmed without chemical products or insecticides, with light and minimally invasive agricultural machinery. Harvesting takes place at the last moment, at night to preserve grape freshness, and only the first juice of quality is kept. Winemaking follows the domaine's philosophy: fermentation and ageing without added sulphur in tank and partly in 228, 350 and 450 litre barrels, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, ageing of 12 to 18 months on fine lees, gravity-based work, no filtration, sulphur added only before bottling at minimal dose.

Tasting profile

The robe is a pale gold with green glints, limpid and with the crystalline clarity characteristic of the appellation. The nose is of immediate purity and openness, in the direct and unadorned style that is the constant signature of all the domaine's cuvées: aromas of fresh citrus, lemon, lime and grapefruit assert themselves with vivacity and natural presence, accompanied by white flowers, crisp green apple and a touch of smoke and flint stone that marks the Kimmeridgian imprint of the terroir. On the 2024 vintage, natural freshness is particularly striking: the bouquet is taut and precise, without a trace of heaviness. On the palate, vivacity is the first sensation that imposes itself: a fresh and lively acidity, typical of Chablis on a fresh vintage, structures a light and well-balanced matter, with a crisp and salivating texture. Chalky minerality travels across the palate with elegance and persistence. The finish is long, lemony and saline, of a purity and freshness that immediately invite another glass.

The domaine

Born in 1987 in the viticultural tradition of Saint-Bris, Domaine Grand Roche took root when Erick Lavallée planted his first vines on the eponymous lieu-dit. Since 2021, his children Caroline and Clément have pursued the family story with passion across 14.5 hectares between the Auxerrois and the Chablisien. Clément, after studies in viticulture and oenology and eight years working at Armand Heitz, Chapoutier and Château Margaux, returned to Saint-Bris with a clear vision: straight, pure wines without artifice, from respectful viticulture and restrained winemaking. He is entering the front rank at a pace that impresses lovers across northern Burgundy.

Food pairings

This Chablis will pair beautifully with fine de claire oysters, a seafood platter, steamed scallops, cold langoustines, sea bass tartare with citrus, sole meunière or fresh goat cheese. It will also be perfect as an aperitif, served between 9 and 11 °C, in the freshness and vivacity that are the prime virtues of this Chardonnay from northern Burgundy.