Domaine Gerard Duplessis
— Portfolio —
PETIT CHABLIS 2022
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
The Domaine only 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 2022 Petit Chablis has a lovely nose that has gained some vigor since tasting it from barrel. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, impressive weight for its class with a touch of stem ginger on the finish. Delightful.” – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 2022
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
The Domaine owns 1.8 hectares across 4 parcels, all situated between the 1er Cru of Vaillons and Montmains. Northwest 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 that when you have the benefit of old vines, their ‘experience’ helps to negate the warmer weather, they are not so easily influenced by these factors. 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 2022 Chablis Village has a fresh bouquet with linden, lemon verbena and just a touch of flint in the background. This is very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly chalky entry. Perhaps it needs a little more grip, as it is a touch more austere on the finish. The Petit Chablis actually runs this close.” – Vinous
CHABLIS 1ER CRU FOURCHAUME 2021
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 2021 Chablis Fourchaume 1er Cru, taken from a 500-litre barrel, has an attractive and slightly more floral bouquet; this opens nicely in the glass with hints of honeysuckle and beeswax, a light minty note emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with quince and orange rind on the entry, fine depth, harmonious with a fine bead of acidity lending strictness on the finish. Very fine.” – 91-93 pts – Vinous – Neal Martin
CHABLIS 1ER CRU MONTMAINS 2021
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 2021 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is a little more austere on the nose compared to the Montée de Tonnerre, though seems focused and well-defined. The palate is firm with clear acidity; it’s taut and fresh with conspicuous salinity on the finish. Lively but “serious”” – 92-94 pts – Vinous
CHABLIS 1ER CRU VAILLONS 2021
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
1.5 hect across 4 parcels. Minots, Chatains, Epinottes and Vaillons. Average vine 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. Pressed straight into tank, no preferment 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 2021 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, which I tasted from a five-year-old barrel, has a very expressive bouquet with yellow flower and light apricot scents complementing the struck flint aromas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and harmonious with a pretty, quintessential Vaillon finish. Maybe it just needs a little more on the aftertaste but good potential.” – 90-92 pts – Vinous
CHABLIS 1ER CRU MONTÉE DE TONNERRE 2021
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 Southeast facing, on the ridge. Pressed straight into tank, no preferment 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 2021 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru, which is aged in barrel, transferred into vat for blending and then back into barrel, has a cohesive and focused bouquet with orchard fruit and light orange pith scents. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, good depth and a flinty finish. There is good potential; however, I just need a little more on the aftertaste.” – 91-93 pts – Vinous
CHABLIS GRAND CRU LES CLOS 2021
Certified Organic
Bottle Shot
Duplessis own a precious 0.30 hectares in Le Clos 1% of the Grand Cru. Situated in the middle of the Cru, South Exposition. 55 year old vines. Duplessis ferments in the same manner as the 1er Crus but of course due to the terroir offers a richer, more dense style of Chablis.
“The 2021 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru, which was taken directly from tank, has a well defined bouquet with white flowers, quince and crushed stone that opens with confidence, lovely definition and focus. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and vibrant with a saline “lick” on the finish that gets the saliva flowing. Excellent.” – 93-95 pts – Vinous