2012 Chablis Montmains

The 2012 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains comes from 3 hectares of vine and sees 12 months in stainless steel. It has quite an austere personality on the nose, but that permits smoke and gunflint aromas to prosper. The palate is clean and fresh with dried pineapple and fresh pear notes. The finish does not have the delineation that the nose deserves, but it offers respectable length in the mouth. Drink now-2018. La Chablisienne is one of Chablis’ most high-profile cooperatives and a great success story. Founded back in 1923 and still going strong, it is said that they oversee approximately one-quarter of the region’s production, around 300 individual growers. Therefore, just like Georges Duboeuf in Beaujolais or Louis Jadot in the Cote d’Or, it is important that they maintain standards irrespective of high volumes, since their size ensures that they have an ambassadorial role for Chablis, for ordinary punters perhaps seeking to broaden their horizons. In this respect, the wines should not be looked down upon given the showing here. While none of them reached the heady heights of Chablis’ most revered artisans, there was certainly a consistency across the range that when coupled with the volume produced, deserves to be applauded. Importers: Ruby Wines (MA), Opici Wines (NY), Grape Expectations (CA), Brescome Barton (CT)