Critic ratings
vinous
2020
Rating:
92
–94
The 2020 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is another precise, steely classic Chablis from Benoît Droin. The palate is beautifully balanced and poised, showing good concentration and wonderful cohesion and salinity toward the finish. I cannot wait to taste the final version.
vinous
2018
Rating:
92
–94
The 2018 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is an ample, creamy and super-expressive wine. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and minty notes all flesh out in a Chablis endowed with striking depth and resonance - all qualities that build into the long, beautifully persistent finish. This is one of the bigger premiers crus in the range, but it also retains terrific freshness and vibrancy.
vinous
2018
Rating:
92
–92
The 2018 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru shows a little more definition and terroir expression compared directly with the Montée de Tonnerre. Lemon peel, touches of crushed stone and dried flowers almost reluctantly emerge with aeration. The palate is powerful and expressive, with a honeyed texture. The acidity feels a little lower than previous vintages and you would almost think there was a touch of botrytized fruit on the finish. It’s a Montmains that I would broach in its youth.
vinous
2021
Rating:
89
–91
The 2021 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru has a classic Chablis-like bouquet with scents of shucked oyster shell and light fumé notes emerging from the glass. The palate is well balanced with a saline, lemon rind infused entry, moderate weight, perhaps not quite as precise as the Vaillons yet with satisfying persistence. Fine.
vinous
2021
Rating:
90
–92
The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru is a blend of Côte de Léchet and Vaucoupin because the yields were too small to fill the press entirely. Crushed stone and light undergrowth scents on the nose, this blossoms in the glass. The palate is balanced, cohesive and has fine acidity with a touch of spice that is accentuated with bitter lemon on the persistent finish. Lovely.
robert_parker
2021
Rating:
90
–90
Seamless and fine-boned, the 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains exhibits notes of honeyed pear, white flowers, almond and hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, it's bright and pretty, concluding with a mouthwatering finish.
robert_parker
2019
Rating:
92
–92
The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains opens in the glass with notes of green orchard fruit, hazelnuts, clear honey, fresh bread and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, layered and muscular, with chalky grip and a saline finish, it has turned out very well.
robert_parker
2020
Rating:
92
–92
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of green apple, white flowers, mint and bee pollen, the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains is medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with a textural attack and a long, saline finish. From a site characterized by white marls, it has performed well in this sunny vintage.