AOP Chablis 2021: top-scoring wines
After tasting more than three hundred Chablis 2021 wines, Andy Howard MW selects the top-scoring AOP Chablis wines with full tasting notes and scores.
Chablis 2021: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
Score tables
Chablis 2021 score table – notes for all wines scoring 92 points and above
Grand Cru Chablis 2021 score table
Premier Cru Chablis 2021 score table
ALSO
Individual appellation analysis and their top-scoring wines:
Grand Cru Chablis | Premier Cru Chablis | Petit Chablis | Top-value Chablis
AOP Chablis 2021
Size: 3,702 hectares
In 2021, Chablis is a distinct step-up from Petit Chablis, with more concentration, fruit profile sometimes favouring greener apple and zesty citrus fruit, with some showing a slightly riper stone-fruit note. What marks most Chablis out from Petit Chablis is the density on the palate, firm acidity and the slightly smoky, mineral and saline notes which keep the palate fresh.
The key difference between Chablis and Petit Chablis is the Kimmeridgean soils (dating back to the Jurassic period) which give most Chablis wines their distinctive palate profile. The limestone/clay soil is often rich in fossilised marine deposits, giving Chablis extra complexity, the ability to age and fine acidity on the finish. The majority of Chablis will be unoaked, with an increasing number of estates now producing (excellent) organic versions.
2021 vintage
The winter of 2020-21 was generally milder and wetter than normal, with a particularly mild spell around Easter (29 March to 3 April). This accelerated activity in the vines which meant that the devastating polar air which descended between 6-9 April, had a much more drastic effect. At Domaine Fevre, yields for AP Chablis were reduced from a normal level in excess of 50hl/ha to just 18hl/ha. Temperatures were below average in April, May, July and August, with rainfall higher than normal in May and July. Mildew (and later in the season rot) were additional problems for growers.
Despite the climate issues, many estates have produced fine examples of AP Chablis, which will appeal to fans of a more ‘classic’ style of Chablis with plenty of acidity, citrus-fruit and mineral notes on the palate, and a lack of obvious oak influence.
It is well worth looking out for Vielles Vignes bottlings (Domaine Paul Nicolle, Domaine Mosnier) – many of these offer a significant step up in concentration and weight, whilst some lieux dit wines, e.g. Lavantureux’s Vauprin are memorable.
Two of the top examples of 2021 AP Chablis come from Domaine Droin and the largest owner within this appellation – Domaine William Fevre.
Top-scoring AOP Chablis 2021
The below wines all scored 91 points or above.
If we have awarded ‘Top value’ to an as-yet unpriced wine, it is based on our predicted pricing.
Roland Lavantureux, Vauprin, Chablis, Burgundy, 2021
TOP VALUE & UNDER THE RADAR The new generation arrived in 2010 with the arrival of David & Arnaud, following on from their father/grand-father. Roland...
2021
Roland LavantureuxChablis
Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Sainte Claire Organic, Chablis, Burgundy 2021
Intriguing Chablis from this leading producer, based in Prehy. The kimmeridgian notes really come through here. Lovely concentration on the palate with weight and density....
2021
Domaine Jean-Marc BrocardChablis
Domaine Vincent Dauvissat, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
Daivissat's Chablis parcel comes from two parcels - the smaller near Beine (0.6ha) and the much larger plot adjacent to Premier Cru Foret (2.5ha). Profound,...
2021
Domaine Vincent DauvissatChablis
Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
Droin owns 10ha of AP Chablis. Much more interest here with a deeper hue in the glass and much more interest on the nose. Some...
2021
Jean-Paul & Benoît DroinChablis
Roland Lavantureux, Vielles Vignes, Chablis, Burgundy, 2021
From south-west facing vines in the hills around Lignorelles, the vines were planted in the 1960's and cover 3ha. The wine is fermented in steel...
2021
Roland LavantureuxChablis
Sylvain Mosnier, Vieilles Vignes, Chablis, Burgundy, 2021
TOP VALUE The Vieilles Vignes cuvée shows a lot more intrigue and concentration than the straight Mosnier Chablis. Fresh acidity, mineral undertones and a dash...
2021
Sylvain MosnierChablis
Eléonore Moreau, Pérégrinations, Chablis, Burgundy, 2021
UNDER THE RADAR Tank sample. Plenty to like here with weight and crispness of fruit, allied to a mineral edge on the palate and good...
2021
Eléonore MoreauChablis
Domaine Paul Nicolle, Vieilles Vignes, Chablis, 2021
TOP VALUE & UNDER THE RADAR Intriguing Chablis. The wood (the wine is aged 8-12 months on lees with 10% in used barrels) does add...
2021
Domaine Paul NicolleChablis
Domaine Besson, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
Slightly deeper in hue, this Chablis has plenty of depth and concentration on the palate, together with some ripe, stone fruit notes and crisp green...
2021
Domaine BessonChablis
Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Vielles Vignes de Sainte Claire, Chablis, Burgundy 2021
A special blend, Brocard's Sainte Claire is produced from old vines and certified organic. With an intriguing smoky edge, this is a distinctive Chablis with...
2021
Domaine Jean-Marc BrocardChablis
Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Vielles Vignes, Chablis, 2021
Brocard's Vieilles Vignes Chablis is produced from vines with an average age of 46 years. In addition to ageing on lees the wine spends nine...
2021
Domaine Jean-Marc BrocardChablis
Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
This is much more mineral on the nose than Brocard's Petit Chablis, with much more concentration. An attractive note of honey along with the crisp...
2021
Domaine Jean-Marc BrocardChablis
Domaine Louis Michel, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
The harvest started 21 September. This is a very fine, precise Chablis showing good density, crystalline citrus notes on the palate, a lick of minerality...
2021
Domaine Louis MichelChablis
Domaine François Raveneau, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
From two plots on the left bank near Vaillons, Montmains, with just under 1ha. The majority of the vines were plated in the early 2000's,...
2021
Domaine François RaveneauChablis
Domaine William Fèvre, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
William Fevre own 46ha of AP Chablis but there was lots of frost damage in 2021 - the yield was just 18hl/ha! Lovely floral notes...
2021
Domaine William FèvreChablis
Domaine Roy, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
Domaine Roy is located in Fontenay-Pres-Chablis, to the north-east. Very classic in style, this is a fine Chablis for the 2021 vintage. Not the densest...
2021
Domaine RoyChablis
Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, Chablis, Burgundy, France, 2021
Crisp, lovely purity here as expected from this classy producer, based in Maligny. Fleshy feel to the palate but the citrus acidity and mineral undertones...
2021
Domaine Séguinot-BordetChablis
Domaine Billaud-Simon, Chablis Tete d'Or, Chablis, 2021
Olivier Bailly used some barrel fermentation (and malolactic) for 20% of this alternative blend. From parcels in Chapelot, Morein and Pied d'Aloup. Just the right...
2021
Domaine Billaud-SimonChablis
Maison Stephane Brocard, Vielles Vignes, Chablis, 2021
From the Closerie des Alisiers label, negociant Stephane Brocard has produced this zesty, grippy Chablis from vines over 35 years in age. Crisp, mineral and...
2021
Maison Stephane BrocardChablis
Domaine Céline & Frédéric Gueguen, Chablis, 2021
A relatively recent estate, Céline’s father is Jean-Marc Brocard, whilst Frédéric worked at Domaine Durup. They continue to make great strides with their Chablis. Very...
2021
Domaine Céline & Frédéric GueguenChablis
