Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2018 (Burgundy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Premier Cru Chablis that arrives in LCBO VINTAGES this weekend. This white wine is featured in the November 28 LCBO VINTAGES Release as a Top Holiday Wine and is indeed just that!

I have had the pleasure of tasting this wine on a couple of occasions in the past, including the 2014 Domaine Hamelin Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru when it came through VINTAGES in 2016. It is crafted by Domaine Hamelin, a producer whose roots begin in 1840 when Gustave Hamelin grew 2 hectares of vines alongside his mixed farm. In 1880, Pierre Hamelin grew 3 hectares of vines alongside his farm, using his mule to help work the vines. At the time, the wine was held in 132 Litre barrels, giving rise to their name "feuillette", or little cask. The wines were sold in these containers and transported by river. In 1911, Georges Hamelin extends the property to grow 4 hectares of vines and working them by horse. In 1948, they began using a mechanical horizontal press and 5 years later started using a high-clearance tractor. Marc Hamelin created his own vineyard and then added the area he inherited from his father, while also building a new vat room.

Today, Thierry and his son Charles Hamelin, the 6th and 7th generations of the family continue winegrowing activities, perpetuating the Chablis wine tradition. The main focus is to keep the "flavour" of the terroir while using a mix of old traditions and modern winemaking techniques.

This Premier Cru Chablis is 100% Chardonnay that was grown on very steep, south-facing slopes, that extend from the bottom of the valley to the top. The vines were planted between 1980 and 1982 and have Kimmeridgian subsoil. It was aged for 12 to 18 months in stainless steel vats prior to bottling. The 2018 vintage in Chablis has been hailed by some as "one for the ages". It has a rare combination of high volume and high quality. It started with greater water reserves in the soil from which the vines drew water during the hot summer months. The presence of fog and dew each morning also added juice to vines. During harvest, the fruit was also picked with grapes in perfect balance.

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2018 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $39.95
From vines planted in the early 1980's on very steep, south-facing slopes, this unoaked Chardonnay has intense, terroir-driven, minerally aromas mingling with ripe, lemon citrus and touches of oyster shell, white floral, and acacia. It's medium+ bodied on the fresh, ripe palate with stony, lemon citrus flavours with hints of peach. It's nicely textured with fresh, bright acids that are crisp and clean. Some nutty and mealy notes arrive on the mid-palate, adding complexity and interest, lingering through to the long, juicy, textured, stony, oyster shell finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 92 pts

Other fine wines from Domaine Hamelin can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.