Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau 2016

Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils

Terroir: The Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils 1er Cru Vaillon “Cuvée Guy Moreau” is sourced from select vines planted in 1933, from multiple plots within the Moreau holdings.

Vinification: 60% of the overall Guy Moreau blend is aged entirely in stainless steel, with the remaining 40% seeing oak for a total of 6 months. The wine is then blended and aged for additional time in stainless steel prior to bottling.

Seeing more oak aging than the other Vaillon cuvée the Cuvée Guy Moreau is typically ripe on the palate, rich and complex while retaining a finish of mineral and clean acidity.

Additional Information

Fresh and citrusy and ample amounts of lemon and minerality on the nose, carrying through to the ripe, fruity, and concentrated palate. Very textured on the mouth with Granny Smith apple, lemon, white peach, and a hint of spice. Rich and delicious.

Technical Details

Appellation: Chablis
Winemaker: Fabien Moreau
Sustainability: Certified Organic
Soil: Kimmeridgien calcareous clay
Avg Vine Age: 80+ years
Alcohol: 13.5%
Sizes Available: 750ml
Pack Size: 12/750ml
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay

Recent Press

Score: 91 Points
Vinous Author: Neal Martin
Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2018
"The 2016 Chablis Vaillons Cuvée Guy Moreau 1er Cru is a step up in complexity over the regular cuvée with heightened mineralité and terroir expression. The palate is very poised and elegant. Touches of lemon peel, orange zest and a saline vein segues into a slightly more tropical second half that manages to maintain tension. It does not quite match up to my expectations from barrel, but still a very commendable wine."
Score: 90 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Friday, July 20, 2018
Marked by new oak, this is bright and exudes lemon, fresh oregano, sage and spice flavors. For now, any mineral element is buried. The finish echoes spice details. Drink now through 2022.
Score: 96 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Roger Voss
Date: Monday, April 23, 2018
Sourced from a number of plots planted in 1933 by Guy Moreau, the grandfather of the present winemaker Fabien Moreau, this wine is rich and generous while still keeping an intense streak of acidity. Yellow fruits, touches of toast and the potential for considerable aging mark out this wine. Drink from 2021.

Grade: Cellar Selection
Score: 95 Points
Wine Review Online Author: Michael Apstein
Date: Friday, April 6, 2018
Fabien Moreau, the current winemaker, says that this portion of their plot in the Vaillon vineyard was planted by his grandfather, Guy, 83 years ago and contain the oldest vines of their estate. Located on the steepest part of the slope, the vines have excellent exposure and drainage. An extraordinary wine, which could pass for many producers Grand Cru, their 2016 displays an impeccable balance of freshness, energy and stony minerality. The finish is seemingly endless and you are left with the delightful mouth-watering sensation that demands another sip.
Burghound Author: Allen Meadows
Date: Friday, February 2, 2018
Here the nose is similar to the regular cuve but with the addition of mineral reduction wisps. There is a bit more wood evident in the mouth on the rich, concentrated, powerful and palate coating flavors thanks to the abundant level of dry extract, all wrapped in a bitter lemon and saline-inflected finale that offers just a bit more overall depth and persistence.

Grade: 89-91 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Neal Martin
Date: Friday, February 2, 2018
From vines planted in 1933 and harvested separately from the remainder of the holdings, the 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Cuvée Guy Moreau has a lovely melted wax, praline and almond-scented bouquet that manifests more mineral scents as it opens in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, so pretty and disarming that you almost miss the precision on the finish. I absolutely adore this wine.

Grade: 92-94 Points