Domaine Gerard Duplessis
— Portfolio —
PETIT CHABLIS 2021
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
The Domaine owns less than 0.7 hect across 2 parcels. One on the top of the hill behind Vaillons. (20 year old vines) & the second one behind the Grand cru, more specifically Preuses on the plateau (40 years old). Pressed straight into tank, no pre ferment racking or setting, wild fermentation, malo finished in tank. Petit Chablis then see 10 to 12 months elevage total in tank before bottling.
“The 2021 Petit Chablis has a fine definition on the nose with a little more presence than the 2020. The palate is well balanced with green apple and pear, crisp with a malic, lively finish. Fine.” – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 2021
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
The Domaine owns 1.8 hectares across 4 parcels, all situated between the 1er Cru of Vaillons and Montmains. North West exposition. 1 plot of 20 year old vines, 1 plots of 45 years old and finally 2 x parcels 60 year old vines. Lilian explains when you have the benefit of old vines their ‘experience’ as he put it helps to negate the warmer weather, they are not so easily influenced by these factors. Pressed straight into tank, no pre ferment racking or setting, wild fermentation, malo finished in tank. Chablis then see 10 to 12 months elevage total in tank before bottling.
“The 2021 Chablis Village, taken directly from tank, has a brisk green apple, pear and light granitic bouquet that opens nicely in the glass. The palate is balanced with fine acidity, cohesive with bitter lemon notes that perk up the finish.” – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 1ER CRU FOURCHAUME 2020
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
Two plots facing south at the top of the hillside, where the very stony soil is responsible for a beautiful minerality. Pressed straight into tank, no preferment racking or setting, wild fermentation, malo finished in tank. Chablis then see 10 to 12 months elevage total in tank before bottling.
“The 2020 Chablis Fourchaume 1er Cru comes from 70-year-old vines in the heart of the climat. It has a crisp, apple blossom and kiwi fruit bouquet, wet limestone scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a spicy entry, quite peppery for a Fourchaume, and delivers good intensity on the finish. Give this 2–3 years in bottle.” – 90-92 points – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 1ER CRU MONTMAINS 2020
Certifed Organic
Bottle Shot
3 hectares. Biggest parcel of the Domaine, across 2 parcels both over 80 years old. One parcel on the border between Montmains & Foret and then the second one in Foret ie both straddle the line but he bottles both together as 1er Cru Montmains. Character – Very straight, weight in the mouth. Tension, more intellectual. Lilian’s favourite Cru, typicity of Chablis as he puts it. Pressed straight into tank, no pre ferment racking or setting, wild fermentation, malo finished in tank and left on lees for 6 months. Then transferred to barrel, 10% new, total elevage of 12 to 18 months vintage dependant.
“The 2020 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is more concentrated on the nose compared to the Montée de Tonnerre, showing traces of acacia honey, yellow flowers and nectarine. The palate is very well balanced and quite dense and weighty in the mouth, with just the right amount of bitterness on the finish. Superb.” – 92-94 – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 1ER CRU VAILLONS 2020
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
1.5 hect across 4 parcels. Minots, Chatains, Epinottes and Vaillons. Average age of 60 years old. All parcels vinified separated then blended before bottling. Across the 1er Cru’s this wine is often seemingly the most ‘exotic’, perhaps not in terms of weight but aromatics.
CHABLIS 1ER CRU MONTÉE DE TONNERRE 2020
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
1.20 hectares and the oldest one in the Domaine, more than 80 years old. On the ‘P’ on the map as Lilian points out (The P of Pied d’Aloue), top of the slope. Bedrock, thin soils. The plot is South East facing, on the ridge. Pressed straight into tank, no pre ferment racking or setting, wild fermentation, malo finished in tank and left on lees for 6 months. Then transferred to barrel, 10% new, total elevage of 12 to 18 months vintage dependant.
“The 2020 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru comes from three parcels and taken was directly from used barrel. The elegant bouquet features orange blossom, yellow flowers and a light minerally scent that emerges with time. The palate is just lovely: beautifully defined, cohesive and poised, with tangible mineralité and touches of white peach and fennel on the saline finish. Great potential.” – 92-94 – Neal Martin
CHABLIS GRAND CRU LES CLOS 2020
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
Duplessis own a precious 0.30 hectares in Les Clos 1% of the Grand Cru. Situated in the middle of the Cru, South Exposition. 55 years old vines. Duplessis ferment in the same manner as the 1er crus but of course due to the terroir offers a richer, more dense style of Chablis.
“Taken from 500-liter used barrel, the 2020 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru has a rich, slightly honeyed bouquet that needs a little more delineation. The palate is well balanced and, again, rich and honeyed, although I feel that this year it is surpassed by the impressive duo of Montée de Tonnerre and Montmain in terms of precision and terroir expression.” – 90-92 – Neal Martin