2018 Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Les Vaillons Chablis Premier Cru Burgundy France 750 ml

There’s Chablis, the standard-bearing Chardonnay from northern Burgundy, and then there’s exceptional Chablis. Today’s 2018 Domaine Long-Depaquit Vaillons Premier Cru falls squarely in the latter camp.

Vinous founder Antonio Galloni called the estate “very clearly a name to watch in Chablis,” and praised this ‘18 as “a wine of total precision and class… simply terrific.” But we’ll go a step further: This is one of the best wines we’ve tasted from Vaillons, one of the most famous vineyards in all of Chablis. 

Family-owned Albert Bichot has been making stellar Burgundy since the 1800s, and is one of the largest landowners in Chablis, farming 160 acres that produce six Grand Cru cuvées. This investment has made them one of the foremost specialists in the crisp, intellectual style of northern Burgundy, capturing the coiled energy of Chablis that is on display in this bottle.

Despite their long history, Bichot is anything but set in their ways, something they proved by naming the young Cécilia Trimaille as technical director. Trimaille, who honed her chops in California and New Zealand and at Bordeaux First Growth Château Margaux, walks the line between innovation and tradition. In choosing Trimaille, the domaine has cemented its dedication to a fresh approach favoring organic farming, little intervention, low yields, and minimal oak influence. 

A rich yet crisp expression of the clay-limestone soils and flawless vinification—90% in stainless steel, the rest in neutral barrels—this is the kind of gorgeous Chablis we love to share.