B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
“Excellent”
Neal Martin, Vinous
An unbeatable value for lovers of classically styled Chablis, the vibrant 94 pt. 2022 Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes de Sainte Claire offers fresh aromatic fruit hinting of honey and salt air with crisp, bright acidity, an elegant, refreshing white from northern Burgundy crafted from old vine Chardonnay that’s bargain priced to stock the cooler and enjoy often.
Located in Prehy near the village of Chablis, the winding drive to Domaine Jean Marc Brocard leads through meticulous vineyards past the 15th century Church of Saint Claire, the estate’s original parcel of 1.5 hectares near the Church gifted to Brocard as a wedding present from his wife’s family nearly 50 years ago. Now spanning over 200 hectares, Brocard’s vineyards were the first to be organically and biodynamically farmed in the region, a particularly challenging approach in an area where grapes are prone to mildew and one that has paid quality dividends under the management of his son Julien since 1997. Planted 70 years ago at the end of World War II, the roots of the low yielding Sainte Claire vines reach down 25 meters deep into Kimmeridgian soil that imparts a signature chalky minerality to the cuvee, the warmer 2022 growing season described by Decanter as an “overwhelmingly positive” vintage producing healthy, high-quality fruit. Fermented parcel by parcel with indigenous yeasts, the vibrant 2022 Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes de Sainte Claire was aged on the lees in stainless steel imparting a creamy texture to the intensely concentrated old vine Chardonnay fruit, elegantly balancing the vintage’s ripeness with steely, bright acidity on a fresh, polished finish.
Garnering scores that exceed many 1er and Grand Crus from the vintage, the overachieving 94 pt. 2022 Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes de Sainte Claire delivers the elegant rich flavors and tantalizing acidity that will have Chablis lovers reaching for another pour, its decidedly reasonable price a bonus for white Burgundy fans and anyone seeking a delicious everyday white at an outstanding value. |