2012 Dauvissat-Camus Chablis Vaillons

Dauvissat-Camus is the label used by Vincent Dauvissat when he makes wines from vines owned by other members of his family. He is the winemaker for the Dauvissat-Camus wines, as well as the vigneron. His own estate is Domaine Vincent Dauvissat, a 27-acre domaine in Chablis, Burgundy. It was previously called Domaine Rene et Vincent Dauvissat, but it is now run entirely by Vincent, who is Rene’s son. Burgundy writer Clive Coates notes that the Dauvissat domaine “lies with that of the Raveneau brothers at the top of the Chablis hierarchy….This is a great estate.”

Vaillons is a Premier Cru on the west bank of the Serein River, just west of the village of Chablis. It includes the climats Sur Les Vaillons, Chatains, Les Grands Chaumes, Les Chatains, Secher, Beaugnons, Les Lys, Roncieres, Les Epinottes and Les Minos. The soil is a mix of limestone, clay and fossilized oyster shells.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.