Burgundy 2022 En Primeur: Domaine Collet, Chablis
We are delighted to offer the 2022 vintage wines from Domaine Collet in Chablis, an exciting producer to watch since Romain Collet took over a few years ago. When we visited last month we were once again delighted by the wines, and hold them in higher regard with each new vintage. Allocations of the premiers and grands crus are limited.
Romain vinifies each wine differently, according to the potential he sees in the vineyard, so this is an excellent opportunity to add a selection of crus to your cellar, to enjoy their differences when the time comes to drink them. At the risk of oversimplifying, the wines vinified in 'eggs' or larger wooden foudres ('Montmains', 'Les Forêts' and 'Vaillons') emphasise the linear, flinty-mineral style which Chablis is famous for, while the wines aged in barrique have a more Burgundian structure.
Despite their differences, Romain's wines all have a distinct style that sums up classic Chablis, balancing minerality with fruit concentration. One secret to his success seems to be adaptability. He commented that he now harvests a month earlier than was the norm in his grandfather's time. This readiness to adapt to the climate, along with his family's amazing vineyard holdings across the appellation, is producing some outstanding wines.
Premier and grand cru Chablis from very good domaines like this one offer amazing value for money when compared with similar crus on the Côte d'Or, so do take advantage of these limited stocks while they are available.
Offered in bond, available summer 2024.
Producer Profile
Domaine Jean Collet et Fils
The Collet family have quietly been producing Chablis since 1792, but in the last few years, the domaine has begun to gain attention, under Romain Collet, who is rapidly making his way into the top-tier of winemakers in the region.
Domaine Jean Collet & Fils has not been widely imported into the UK, so we were delighted to have obtained allocations beginning with the 2020 vintage.
Romain combines great winemaking and knowledge of his family's vineyards with an easy charm and dynamism. He has converted much of the estate to organic viticulture and uses a mixture of stainless steel, older wooden barrels and other inert vessels in which to mature the wines, varying the élevage for each cuvée to suit the terroir.
| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis | 75cl | £150 per case of 12 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis 2022 / / 75cl £150 per case of 12 |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis Les Forets 1er cru | 75cl | £130 per case of 6 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis Les Forets 1er cru 2022 / / 75cl £130 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesLes Forêts is on the Montmains slopes and forms a natural amphitheatre, making it warmer than Montmains. The vineyard was replanted in 2008 by Romain's father and has been organic since day 1. This was aged in 90% concrete eggs and 10% oak. Saline and steely on the palate with lots of energy, it is nevertheless rounder than the Montmains, with more texture. RKL------"Pale lemon and lime. Here the reduction is more noticeable, but note that this wine has not yet been racked. There is noticeably more density here than the Montmains, a little lime rinse to the concentrated fruit, and fine length. Adequate tension this year. Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted: July 2023. 90-93 points." Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis Les Vaillons 1er cru | 75cl | £130 per case of 6 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis Les Vaillons 1er cru 2022 / / 75cl £130 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesThe 10 ha Vaillons 1er cru is the largest in the appellation. Collet's vines here have been organic since 2008. Fermented 90% in stainless steel, then aged one third in large old wooden foudre, one third in used oak barrels and one third in tank. Romain pointed out that with the size of Vaillons, maturity can vary, hence he vinifies different plots individually. The 2022 Vaillons has it all..intensity, richness, minerality and saline notes, with a soft floral mid-palate and a hint of smoke. Very long. Romain says he prefers his 1er cru at around 4-5 years, so drink this from 2026, if you can wait. RKL------"Just filtered. Pale in colour and the nose has been slightly stripped. Entirely white fruit, with concentration, perhaps a hint of lemon, the stones and the flesh, but a bit muted. The persistence is there, so this may just be unwilling to declare itself today. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: July 2023 89-92 points" Jasper Morris MW, insideburgundy.com |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis Montee de Tonnere 1er cru | 75cl | £140 per case of 6 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis Montee de Tonnere 1er cru 2022 / / 75cl £140 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesHere Romain has two plots and says one gives minerality, the other, richness. 100% fermented in oak barrels, 5% of it new. Closed on the nose but with a harmonious, intense impression. Builds slowly on the mid-palate, expanding to show impressive breadth. Lime fruit, minerality and salinity on the very long finish. RKL------"Pale lemon yellow. This is quite backward but with greater energy at the back of the palate. Some greener floral notes along with fresh yellow fruit. Good tension, still a baby, but showing promise. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted: July 2023 91-93 points" Jasper Morris MW, insideburgundy.com |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis Montmains 1er cru | 75cl | £120 per case of 6 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis Montmains 1er cru 2022 / / 75cl £120 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesFrom five parcels on Montmains, 100% fermented and aged in stainless steel. Romain commented that there was lots of millerandage (also known as 'hen and chickens') in 2022; with the grapes in each bunch of varying sizes. Careful handpicking and selection turned this into a virtue, bring varying degrees of ripeness into the cuvée. The Montmains has a beautiful nose of ozone and seaside minerality, as well as crushed oyster shell. Broad on the palate, this is nevertheless ultra-classic in style. RKL------"In bottle (just a small lot – most to follow later). A stainless steel cuvée. Pale in colour, the bouquet is quite restrained. Just a few stones coming out. The palate is much cooler and the reductive element clearly comes through. Excellent persistence. Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted: July 2023. 92 points." Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Jean Collet & Fils - Chablis Valmur grand cru | 75cl | £260 per case of 6 | Jean Collet & Fils Chablis Valmur grand cru 2022 / / 75cl £260 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesValmur is high up on the slopes and despite the excellent ripeness, the altitude gives a cool expression to the fruit, even in warmer years. The terroir consists of a complex mixture of Portlandian scree and Kimmeridgian limestone. Fermented and aged in 100% oak barrels, from 1-3 years old. This has very rich fruit aromas, including grapefruit and even guava, but still has a focused line of acidity. Excellent intensity on nose and palate, impossible to mistake this for anything other than a grand cru. This needs 8-10 years to show its full potential (though it will be delicious after around 4!). RKL------"Still in barrel, will rack before the harvest. Pale green tint in the colour, while the wood shows on the nose for the moment. As much a suggestion of coconut as vanilla. There is a greener note to the fruit which enhances the Chablisian style, then a wealth of pure white fruit before the wood returns to bolster the finish. Plenty of energy here without too overt an opulence. Drink from 2028-2036. Tasted: July 2023. 92-94 points" Jasper Morris MW, insideburgundy.com |
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