The 2021 Domaine Laroche Chablis Vaillons Vieilles Vignes is a premier cru Chardonnay from the Vaillons appellation in the Burgundy region of France. This white wine, produced by Domaine Laroche, presents a well-balanced and elegant profile, characteristic of its origin. It is bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 12.0%.
Decanter awarded the wine a score of 92, describing it as an "elegant and concentrated premier cru" with notable florality and acidity, typical of the Vaillons region. The review highlights its "mineral and a touch of salinity on the finish," suggesting an overall complex wine.
Vinous provided a slightly higher score range of 91-93 points, emphasizing the wine's well-defined nose with "scent of orange blossom, honeysuckle, and light waxy scents." The palate was noted for its balance and citrus-fresh entry, with "tangy orange rind and hints of marmalade on the mid-palate," ending with a "nice grip on the sappy finish." The reviewer concluded that this is "certainly one of the better Vaillons" they had tasted.
Wine Spectator also gave the wine a score of 92, describing it as an "elegant, well-delineated white" with flavors of "floral, lemon, herb, and mineral" fused into a linear profile. The review noted that the wine was balanced and left a "mouthwatering impression and sneaky length," recommending it be consumed now through 2029. The publication mentioned that 1,200 cases were made, with 240 cases imported.
Jasper Morris rated the wine between 90-92 points, noting its "clean pale yellow" color. He described the wine as "backward but with quite good complexity," and "mildly reductive," pointing out its strong acidity and suggesting it will benefit from additional aging, recommending a drinking window from 2025-2028.
Burghound also scored the wine between 91-93 points and found it to have an "interesting hint of crushed fennel" in its aromas, accompanied by "mineral reduction, white pepper, and quinine." The medium-weight flavors were described as stony and finer, displaying "excellent tension on the linear, balanced, and lingering finale." The review concluded that the wine appears "quite promising" and needs to add depth with time.
In summary, the 2021 Domaine Laroche Chablis Vaillons Vieilles Vignes is a well-regarded Chardonnay that demonstrates elegance, complexity, and a promising aging potential. It has garnered high praise from various reviewers, making it a noteworthy choice for Chardonnay enthusiasts.