Henri Costal Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2021

If you've been following us for any appreciable length of time, you know we love our white Burgundy. We love our minerally white Burg, our salty white Burg, our zippy white Burg, and our texturally-rich white Burg. Rare is the bottle that delivers on all of the above and more. Chablis is my one-stop-shop for a white wine that gives great joy and food-pairing perfection.

This Domaine Henri Costal wine is made by Romain Collet, one of our favorite winemakers in Chablis. Known for his more intensely-flavored yet still austere Chablis wines, Romain is a respected figure in the Burgundy region, and Chablis in particular. The Vaillons vineyard is one of the most respected sites for Chardonnay in Chablis, and Romain is an adept hand at interpreting it. 

Stylistically, these wines don't fall into a "camp" for Chablis winemaking. They're both tart and lemony and texturally interesting all at the same time. This wine brings the thunder. It's a textured, weighty, yet lithe example of the Chardonnay grape with incredible mineral notes, freshness and complexity. It's a no-brainer. This should be your go-to white of the fall.

Jackson's Notes: lemon pith, white pepper, smoked thyme, butter-sautéed white mushroom. Finishes clean, bright, tangy and fresh. A great example of 1er Cru Chablis.

Mark's Notes: classic Vaillons – this feels flashy. not as tart as many Vaillons. More flashy, more round, more up-front, in the best way possible.

"Domaine Costal is a unique collaboration between the well-known Chablis producer Domaine Jean Collet and Kermit Lynch. The project began with a simple barrel tasting with Kermit and led to the first of now two cuvées, a custom label, and custom vinification and bottling process exclusively for the American market. The vines are worked organically and Kermit and the Collet family together agree on a blend of stainless steel, foudre, and barrel vinifications. The skill of the Collets and their excellent terroirs combine to give us wines of extraordinary purity and finesse. There is no mistaking it—one taste and you are in Chablis territory: zesty minerality, wet stone, freshness and nervosity." - Importer Kermit Lynch