2023 Christian Moreau Petit Chablis, Burgundy

The 2023 Christian Moreau Petit Chablis is a lively and precise white wine that highlights the youthful charm and purity of Chardonnay from the northern reaches of Burgundy. The Moreau family, whose winemaking history in Chablis stretches back to 1814, are among the region’s most respected names, with Christian Moreau and his son Fabien leading the domaine today. Their philosophy is to let the Kimmeridgian and Portlandian soils of Chablis speak clearly, producing wines that balance minerality, freshness and elegance.

The fruit for this Petit Chablis comes from vineyards on the higher slopes surrounding the main Chablis appellation, where Portlandian limestone soils give wines their signature brightness and floral lift. The 2023 vintage, marked by a balanced growing season, produced fruit with excellent ripeness while retaining the zesty acidity Chablis is renowned for. Winemaking is deliberately minimal, with fermentation in stainless steel and no oak ageing, preserving clarity and precision.

In the glass, it is pale straw with green reflections. The bouquet is delicate yet expressive, showing lemon zest, green apple and pear alongside white flowers, crushed shell and a touch of flint. On the palate it is light to medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing, with citrus and orchard fruits supported by a saline mineral backbone. The finish is clean, precise and mouthwatering, making it a quintessential Petit Chablis.

Food pairings celebrate its freshness: freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns with lemon, goat’s cheese salad, or vegetarian dishes such as zucchini fritters or asparagus with olive oil. It is best enjoyed young within 3 to 5 years, when its vibrancy and clarity are at their peak.