Artisan Chablis from Isabelle and Denis Pommier!
Burgundy’s northern outpost of Chablis produces steely, mineral-driven whites like no other place on earth. Today, we bring you three Chardonnays from one of the most exciting Chablis growers we’ve come across in years, Isabelle et Denis Pommier.
As a newly married couple, Isabelle and Denis inherited a two hectare plot of vines in 1990. Over the past 35 years, they’ve worked very hard on that land, and have expanded their holdings to include enviable parcels in several Chablis Premier Cru vineyards.
Completely classic expressions of Chablis, their wines are delicious. Yet, somehow, this small house has managed to remain under the radar for all these years. As a result, their prices are abnormally low!
Today, we bring you three of their wines, leading with the 2022 Isabelle et Denis Pommier "Hautériven" Petit-Chablis (91 Points, $25.99), a delicious expression of Chablis with crunchy, drinkable-now citrus and chalky minerality. Rounding out the offering are incredible Premier Cru bottlings from "Troesmes" (94 Points, $45.99) and "Fourchaume" (94+ Points, $57.99), both also from the beautifully generous 2022 vintage.
Read on for our notes, then click fast on the Big Green Button to experience this passionate couple's wines for yourself while our supplies last!
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2022 Isabelle et Denis Pommier "Hautériven" Petit-Chablis
Chablis, Burgundy, France
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Made from vines outside the original Chablis demarcation zone, many producers maximize yields in their Petit-Chablis vineyards, crafting wines that lack the trademark flavors and feel of Chablis. Not the Pommiers!
Unlike the vast majority of Petit-Chablis landowners, Isabelle and Denis work their estate vineyards organically, having qualified for certification in 2014. They ferment their juice in small lots, using only wild yeasts. This is uncommon for Petit-Chablis, and it is why the Pommier Petit-Chablis is one of the best you'll find.
Fresh, dense and deliciously dry, boasting round citrus and juicy orchard fruits, this has all the chalky tension we love in a good Chablis. Quite special and quite rare, it earns a solid 91 points on our scale. It is the best Chablis under $30 we have come across in years.
At its $33 median online retail, this is a VERY good buy. At today's beats-all price, it is a Chablis slam-dunk to enjoy now and over the coming 3 to 5 years.
Vin Chicago Price: 25.79
2022 Isabelle et Denis Pommier "Troesmes" 1er Cru
Chablis, Burgundy, France
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THIS IS AWESOME! Never heard of the "Troesmes" Premier Cru vineyard? That’s okay. Neither had we! Troesmes is a sub-parcel of the famed “Beauroy” 1er Cru vineyard. Isabelle and Denis own a 1.8 hectare parcel of 40 to 60+ year old, certified organically farmed vines here. The soil is pure Kimmeridgien, with the famous shallow top limestone and white clay ground cover that makes the Chablis landscape so visually impressive and that gives the wines their unique character.
While their Petit Chablis is a glimpse into what the Pommiers can do with outlying vineyards, their 1er Cru Troesmes bottling represents what this passionate and talented couple can do with serious, old vine material. Wow! Vinified naturally and raised in a combination of tank and used barrels, it is the best sub-$50 Chablis we’ve had in many years. (Are you starting to get the idea of just how much we love these wines?!)
All the wonderful minerality and mouthwatering electricity you want in great Chablis is here, along with a hefty mouthfeel and fleshy accessibility. Yellow apple, Meyer lemon, orchard blossoms, salinity, velvety richness, length, and complexity. This wine has it all, ranking a strong 94 points on our scale.
Drinking extraordinarily well now with a good decanting, it is even more expressive a day or two after opening, and will be even better in another two to three years. Comparable to more famous $100-$200 Chablis bottlings, this special wine will continue strong for 8 to 12 years. Looking online, we see two listings, at $55 and $57. We bring our small allocation to you today for substantially less. 1er Cru Chablis under fifty bucks does not get better!
Vin Chicago Price: 45.99
2022 Isabelle et Denis Pommier "Fourchaume" 1er Cru
Chablis, Burgundy, France
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From one of the most recognized vineyards in all of Burgundy, the 1 hectare parcel in the lauded Premier Cru Fourchaume vineyard that is the source for this wine was a proud acquisition by the Pommiers in 2012.
Their vines are 25-50 years of age, growing in pure limestone soil and farmed organically. The Pommiers raise this wine using the same techniques as their "Troesmes" - the only difference between these two 1er Cru wines is the terroir.
Featuring more mouthweight and a rounder, denser feel, the 2022 Fourchaume is deliciously plump with soft Chablis minerality and a nervy, salty sizzle and tautness.
With powerful fruit and a forward yumminess, this Fourchaume is more drinkable now than the Troesmes, resulting in our smidge higher score of 94+ Points. (Though in another 3 to 5 years, the Troesmes might be even better!) A wonderful example of the Pommier’s craftsmanship, and one of the better-value Fourchaumes you'll find, this is something very special. Just a handful of bottles available!
Vin Chicago Price: 57.99
