Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy, Domaine de la Motte 2023

What marks out a Premier Cru Chablis is the extra depth, complexity, and structure that comes from the area's more favoured sites. The Beauroy vineyard, in particular, is known for producing slightly softer, more floral, and rounded examples. And here, about a third of the grapes are fermented in oak, adding richness without overpowering the fruit, while time on lees brings even more texture and complexity. The result? A beautifully balanced wine packed with ripe citrus, peach, and nectarine, with delicate hints of honey, toast, and vanilla. Smooth and generous, but still with that crisp Chablis minerality and clean acidity, it's got the right mix of elegance and depth making a Premier Cru with real style.

The subtle layers of richness are a delight with creamy seafood pasta or an indulgent fish pie, the ripe fruit and crisp minerality cuts through like a dream.

Domaine de la Motte is a 25-hectare, family run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. It's now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines which reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. La Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.