2018 Jean Dauvissat Chablis Heritage versus 1er Cru Fourchaume

2018 Jean Dauvissat Chablis Heritage versus 1er Cru Fourchaume

If you have read my previous notes on Jean Dauvissat’s Heritage, which was a village level wine, I often put it in the category of 1er Cru as I think it has a complexity as well as addictive acidity that can easily put itself in a 1er Cru league. Thus, tonight it was a heads on clash and put this debate to rest. Heritage benefited from Vielles Vignes (old vines), as these vines were planted about 60 years ago, and they have very deep roots, thus resulting in very strong minerality for the wine. Fourchaume is usually quite a feminine parcel, with floral notes and very aromatic and a body of nutty and steely notes. Frankly, serving the wines while still chilled, it was no way to tell which was the better wine, it was again back and forth fighting for attention. Only when the wine warmed up slightly, one can tell that the Fourchaume won by a hair line, as it really benefited with some buttery taste (from 12 months aging in oak) and feminine style. For the price difference, I’d rather drink Heritage.

22 Mar 2021
We brought in this great producer based upon some samples they sent over a couple of months ago. We tasted 4 bottles of their samples along with a ringer from Chablis. The result was stunning, the well known Chablis ringer turned out to be ranking last in every aspect, it’s a total shame and pity for this ringer. My favorite of the 4 samples? This Heritage, although they sent me the 2016 vintage. It did not escape my fussy palate, turned out to be the highest ranking of the tasting, and my vote for wine of the flight. While I tried to acquire some 2016 vintages, it was all sold out, so we have no choice but to purchase the 2018 vintage, and last night’s tasting with their Claire label, it confirmed to me this Heritage is definitely one of the best village level Chablis one can purchase in Singapore. These wines are produced from Jean Dauvissat’s oldest vines, planted between 1950 and 1960, thus a sip and one will be persuaded it has so much flavor, almost endless description for it. The flavor starts at the front palate, with lively, sharp and focus acidity, and a sweetness from the girl next door feel, I’m totally sold on the first sip already. The complexity is amazing although the finishing is a bit short. More importantly, I’m more than happy to field this bottle against any village level Chablis, and I’m extremely confident that this will pitch well against any strong player out there.