Tasted in Chablis with Patrice Vorcoret, 09 January 2018.
Domaine Vocoret et Fils
40 Route d’Auxerre
89800 Chablis
Tel: +33 3 86 42 12 53
www.domaine-vocoret.com
Patrice on 2017:
More like a correct vintage in 2017 with 52 hl/ha.
Patrice on 2016:
“2016 was, in the end, approaching 2/3rds of a regular volume harvest here – with 40 hl/ha harvest volume. I see the end of the vintage in positive terms due to the summer, before was frost, hail, wet and some mildew. Though the sun was hot enough that it grilled some of the south-facing grapes! We harvested normally, if a little later than average, and of-course everything was harvested by hand.
“80% of the wines are now in bottle, just a few old vine cuvées are still waiting their turn, which will happen in the next few weeks.”
The wines…
In the context of the 2014 vintage, I found the wines here good. In the context of the 2015 vintage, I found the wines here excellent! This year back to good, though the best wines last year were mainly the old vine cuvées which weren’t shown this year.
One quote I liked from Patrice was “I’ve been using DIAM seals for 5 years now, and I sleep much better.”
2016 Petit Chablis
From the plateau above the grand crus
Wide, practically a little spicy. Lovely in the mouth. Nice shape, needs a little bottle time. But will be super for the label.
2016 Chablis
15 ha in Prehy near Brocard – decimated by the hail.
More volume a little greener fruit slowly becoming floral – very nice. Nice volume in the mouth too, softer edges vs the PC – nice shape, pretty flavours – what’s not to love. Tasty wine – particularly in the finish.
2016 Chablis 1er Forêts
Rather a modest nose but seemingly open with freshness too. Big in the mouth, a little more angular than some from here but that means more time is needed in bottle – but lots of good energy and flavour. Will be good.
2016 Chablis 1er Montmains
A nice freshness mixed with green herb. Lots of mouth-watering, mouth-filling flavour here – this is super – also to wait a little for. But this is tasty wine with a little extra finishing sweetness!
2015 Chablis 1er Vaillons
From Beugnons, Epinottes, Ronciéres, Melinots and Sechets – almost all the Sechets is older vines – pretty much everything except Lys in this!
A little tighter nose with some biscuity reduction but air brings more and more interest. Extra sweetness, similar mouth-watering effect – this is delicious wine. A slight note of rigour in the middle – so seemingly like all take a little time – but delicious wine.
2016 Chablis 1er Côte de Lechets
A more open and attractive minerality to this nose – very inviting. Oh – direct, much more overtly mineral, adding a slowly growing sucrosity to the developing flavour. A big finish and long too. Excellent!.
2016 Chablis 1er Montée de Tonnerre
Nice but a little tight. Really, really mineral, direct but beautifully textured. These wines remind me a little of the 2015s with their rigour. But the finish is delicious…
2016 Chablis Blanchots
2.12 ha owned here.
More volume and more interest, but also a little tight, slowly adding a very attractive spice note. More melting flavour – and plenty of it – a super blend of minerality and tasty fruit. Excellently finishing with an added salinity. Strong in the finish.
2016 Chablis Les Clos
Quite a narrow nose today but with height and depth of aroma. A little strict but the flavour is melting and growing from the sides of my mouth. Plenty of energy and complexity. Like many here, this wine is showing that it’s not long been imprisoned in the bottle, but it’s also showing plenty of wine to develop over the next year or two…