2012 Domaine Romain Collet, Chablis, Monte de Tonnerre, Premier Cru White Burgundy, France.
I just did a tasting of 2012 Cru Chablis by Romain Collet and I can tell you these are stunning wines, and exceptional values for serious Chardonnay, in particular you should look at the Vaillons, Les Clos, which is amazing and cellar worthy, and this glorious Monte de Tonnerre. Monte de Tonnerre sits right next to the Grand Crus and has mostly the same soils and exposures, so it always makes for a savvy choice in Chablis, and it has proven to be one of my all time favorite vineyards and easily one of the best deals in Burgundy, and this Collet doesn’t disappoint, it is full of energy, extract and full of steely and stony character. The Collet’s are well respected and admired, but somehow they haven’t let it go to their heads and the prices of their wines haven’t gone through the roof in recent years, and I was very happily surprised that the 2012 vintage was as affordable as ever, without the huge bump up in price seen elsewhere in this year that produced such a small intense crop, if you are looking to score some fine, elegant Chardonnay, you should search these wines out. The 2012 Monte de Tonnerre starts with a bouquet of white flowers, chalky stone, subtle sweet wood and flint along with a citrus and liquid mineral leading to an intense palate with heightened flavors and vibrancy with super focused detailing and delicacy showing lemon, green apple, wild pear and light peach fruits with plenty of mouth watering acidity, saline and wet river rocks, plus a nice frame of oak, which never gets overt, and there is hazelnut, melon and a touch of fine lees brioche. This wine comes in at 12.5% and feels youthful, vivid and graceful, but there is real texture, depth and concentration wound up inside, the Collet’s crafted a beauty here and this should drink fantastic over the next 6 to 8 years and maybe longer!
($38 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
