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Producers
Domaine Vincent Dauvissat
There is white wine and there is Chablis. And then there is Dauvissat Chablis. Makers of the holy trinity Les Clos, Les Preuses and in third place, the Premier Cru La Forest (a.k.a. La Forêt), Dauvissat are arguably the finest makers of Chablis in France.
Father and Son(s)
The domaine is owned and operated by father-son duo Rene and Vincent. Vincent, who is the third generation of Dauvissats (a fourth will soon arrive in the shape of Vincent’s son Etienne) has been at the helm of the family business since 1989. He turned the whole property over to biodynamic farming in 2002, correctly taking a gamble that it would produce a better wine. This means that as well as using organic fertilisers and weed killers, Vincent respects the natural cycle of the vine, and adjusts his calendar to it, rather than vice versa. The vines and farmer are thus connected through soil, plant and planet. “Terroir is everything”, he says.

Dauvissat’s Chablis’, be they Grand, Premier or Petit are very much the image of their maker. Simple, sincere, pure, compact and vibrant, the 100% Chardonnay vines are aged in oak barrels; “Oak is very important to Chablis. The synergy of air and wood adds character and also helps soften the wine. Without oak, Chablis is too hard, too austere.” says Rene.
A Grand Cru at half the price
White wine lovers should note that Dauvissat’s Premier Cru is almost equal to the domaine's two Grand Crus. Not to be confused with the domaine’s three other Premiers Crus (Sechet, Vaillons and Montmains), La Forest is superb in terms of weight and complexity, with an ageing potential of 8-10 years. The excellent 2015 was given 93/100 by Robert Parker Jr, currently trades at around €81 a bottle. The Grand Crus for the same year is around €192 for an RPJ score of 95/100.
Chablis and the rest of the world
Despite difficult harvests in 2016 and 2017, Chablis remains hugely popular overseas, with the UK leading the Grand and Premier Cru export market with 24%. However, a low pound and Brexit uncertainty have slowed this growth recently. The USA and Japan are tied in 2nd place at 11%, with Sweden (8%) and Canada (7%) in 3rd and 4th place.
Notable facts and vintages
  • 2017 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Les Preuses Grand Cru earned 98 points from Decanter Magazine, was included among the ‘Best Chablis Wines’ in 2018, and also received Vinous’ Antonio Galloni’s “brilliant” 95-97 barrell points.
  • 2016 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat les Clos Grand Cru received “wow” from Neal Martin for Robert Parker and 96-98 points. As the most highly rated wine, les Clos is among the priciest of this particular region. Investors might look to vintages such as 2014, 2012 and 2010 for best value.
  • 2010 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat La Forest Premier Cru was awarded 94 points by both Vinous’ Antonio Galloni and Robert Parker Wine Advocate.