Sébastien Christophe et Fils - Mont de Milieu Chablis Premier Cru 21

Sébastien Christophe is a one-man show in Fyé, a tiny commune nestled in Chablis. The domaine is young, especially by Burgundy standards, at just over 20 years-old. After graduating from enology school, Sébastien returned to Chablis, where he inherited a half-acre of Petit Chablis. Slowly, vine by vine, Sébastien built upon his initial holding until eventually he amassed 9 hectares of village-level Chablis and small plots in some of the top Premier Cru sites: Fourchaume, Montée de Tonnerre and Mont de Milieu. He farms sustainably, hand-harvests, and ferments with native yeast in mostly stainless steel, except for small amounts of old wood in the Premier Crus.

Sébastien’s small parcel of Mont de Milieu was planted in the early 1980’s, on a steep, south-facing slope of Kimmeridgian limestone mixed with marne subsoil. This combination of perfect exposition, mineral soil and old vines produce vin de grade white Burgundy of the utmost complexity. In the glass, the wine shows a brilliant gold color with the slightest tinge of green on the rim. Soaring aromas of orange blossom, river stones, macadamia and lemongrass explode from the glass. The palate is absolutely brilliant: concentrated, textured, refreshing and persistent with incredible length and complexity. Drink now or cellar for a further 5-10 years.