2007 Chablis Cotes de Lechet
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Tasting notes
Tribut’s 2007 Chablis Cote de Lechet combines fusil, smoky, briny and quarry dust elements in the nose, its ultra-mineral personality persisting on the palate, but offset by subtle oiliness and subtle creaminess of texture. Here is one of those 2007s that wears its extract on its sleeve and nevertheless evinces a sense of levity. Unquestionably bright and lemony, lip-smacking in it salinity, and with a finishing mineral grip that borders on gritty, this will strike some tasters as too yin-yang, but I find it highly invigorating and anticipate outstanding food-friendliness over the next six or more years. Laurent Tribut – who shares harvesters and approximate picking dates with his in-laws Rene and Vincent Dauvissat – had just bottled his 2007 crus when I last tasted them, for which I am inclined to make allowance. He didn’t start picking until past mid-September at which point, he emphasizes, acid levels were still marginally higher than ideal, but he chaptalized only fractionally and not for lack of sufficient natural alcohol, but rather to, if possible, extend the fermentations. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(bottled last September) Pale yellow. Wet stone and menthol on the rather austere nose. At once supple and uncompromising, with lemon cream, stone and mineral flavors joined by a hint of resiny spice on the finish. Youthfully austere but not hard. Strong juice, but needs a couple years of cellaring.
Light but pure nose. Lovely molten texture though a little sulphur is evident. A bit hot and wet woolly. Bone dry and pretty uncompromising. Chewy finish, but that initial palate attack is most impressive... (JR)
(from Tribut's youngest vines, planted in 1990) Pale lemon-yellow color. Crushed stone and lemon on the nose. Brighter and more pristine than the village offering, with juicy, classic flavors of lemon cream and stone. Offers a lovely combination of moderate ripeness and noteworthy intensity. There's still a tart quality to the finish, but this premier cru has very good length. From rocky, thin, limestone-rich soil.