Winemaker: Romain Collet took over his family’s fines in 2008, and has since made great strides. Having introduced organic farming, natural yeasts, and a lighter hand in the cellar, the Domaine Collet has regained its once lofty status among sources for high-end Chablis.
Vintage: The 2018 vintage at last provided the Chablisiens with decent volume after the disastrous 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. The warm 2018 growing season meant wine with a slightly different profile from the usual Chablis. The wines are riper and smoother than usual, but just as delicious, and just as well priced.
Appellation: Butteaux is a subsection of the famous “Montmains” vineyard, located on Chablis’s left bank. Collet’s vines here are 48 years old, and produce concentrated grapes that deliver an intense concentration and depth.
Wine: “Butteaux” is among Romain’s only oaked Chablis cuvées, and it’s done beautifully — just enough to add a bit of texture to the mouth, but not enough to mask the classic Chablis fruit and stones. The nose shows orchard fruit and the faintest hint of oak — on a global oaked Chardonnay scale this would barely register — the mouth is generous and palate-coating, but full of tension, definition, and depth. Look for a long finish of savory minerals and sea breeze.
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Collet Chablis 1er “Butteaux” 2018
bottle price: $38
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