Wine Advisor
Pattes Loup, Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Pico produces his 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons from certified organic fruit in the climat of Séchet. Unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp green orchard fruit, almond paste, white flowers and orange oil, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with an ample core of fruit, chalky structuring extract and a long, saline finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, which is Pico’s only cuvée from purchased grapes, is raised in barrel and vat, and bottled a little earlier, after 21 months. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, patisserie and touches of chai tea, the mineralité surfacing after 10 minutes in the glass. The rather straightforward palate is well balanced with lime and orange zest on the entry and subtle bitterness developing toward the finish. Very fine.
About the Producer
Domaine Pattes Loup is one of the most exciting estates to emerge from Chablis in recent years (Pattes Loup means “wolf paws”). Thomas Pico started his tiny estate in Courgis in 2005, just outside of the village of Chablis, under the wings of his friends and fellow organic Chablisiens, Alice and Olivier de Moor. He inherited 2.4 hectares of vines from his family’s estate, which historically produced correct, but uninspiring wines. Motivated to take a qualitative leap in a new direction, and against the wishes of his father, Thomas immediately began a program of strict yield control and a conversion to organic viticulture. This is a rarity in Chablis and a feat of extreme diligence in this often inhospitable vinegrowing region.
