Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru

About this wine

Domaine René et Vincent Dauvissat is widely considered one of the greatest producers in Chablis. Their Les Clos Grand Cru is the pinnacle of their portfolio, sourced from the most prestigious of the seven Chablis Grand Cru vineyards. This wine is renowned for its extraordinary longevity, profound mineral intensity, and a perfect balance between rich, concentrated fruit and laser-sharp acidity. It undergoes traditional vinification, often including aging in older oak barrels, which imparts subtle complexity without masking the pure expression of the Kimmeridgian limestone soil.

Sommelier's Note

"This is the benchmark for Chablis—its mineral tension and aging potential are unmatched."

Food Pairings

This wine excels with the finest seafood: grilled lobster, butter-poached scallops, oysters on the half shell, turbot or sole meunière. Its intense minerality and vivid acidity also make it a perfect companion for high-quality sushi and sashimi—particularly white-fleshed fish, clams, and abalone.

When to drink it

Reserve for milestone celebrations, important anniversaries, or intimate fine-dining occasions where the wine itself deserves to be the centerpiece of conversation.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Style

White

Price Range

¥80,000–150,000+ (vintage-dependent)

Terroir & Winemaking

Hand-harvested grapes from old vines on Kimmeridgian limestone slopes. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel and older Burgundy barrels. Extended lees aging (typically 12–18 months) builds texture and savory complexity. Minimal sulfur additions; bottled without fining or filtration to preserve full terroir expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chablis Les Clos taste like?

Expect intense flinty minerality, precise acidity, and flavors of lemon curd, green apple, oyster shell, and white flowers, with a long, saline finish that lingers for minutes.

What food pairs best with this wine?

It shines with oysters, lobster, scallops, and top-quality sashimi. Its vivid acidity and mineral backbone also pair beautifully with delicate Japanese cuisine such as white fish sashimi, abalone, and kombu-dashi-based dishes.

When should I drink it?

Les Clos requires patience—at least 10 years of bottle age to show its full complexity. In the best vintages it can evolve magnificently for 25–30 years or more.

Why is Dauvissat so highly regarded?

Vincent Dauvissat's meticulous viticulture, low yields, and traditional winemaking—including judicious use of old oak—produce wines of singular depth that define the Chablis appellation at its absolute peak.

How does Les Clos differ from other Chablis Grand Crus?

Les Clos is the largest and most celebrated of the seven Grand Cru vineyards. It is known for producing the most powerful, structured, and age-worthy Chablis, with deeper mineral complexity and greater concentration than its peers.