2018 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 92.3 points

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  12/29/2020 - csimm wrote: 93 Points

  Built on a velvety edifice that is indicative of the warm 2018 vintage, the Drion Fourcheme quickly presents itself as a mouthwatering and lavish yellow-driven citrus creature. A creamy, succulent, and silky-juicy expression of the terroir; vanilla-laced yellow citrus, white peach, and melon notes lead the charge, with hints of white travertine and chalk circling the fruit-wagon and helping to maintain focus. A smoother ride than when I last had this wine six months ago.
  
  Distinguished weight and concentration for a 1er cru, Droin continues to impress for its consistency and over-delivery in fruit quality and inclusive seamlessness in performance over the past few vintages. It’s worth noting that the house style here tends to veer a tad richer and forward than some of its whiter-fruited, more verve-driven, spun-up cold Chihuahua competitors, but there is no heaviness or sluggishness with Droin’s wines. Achieves lusciousness without being fat or sloppy. Focus is maintained throughout its execution of flavor and the purity of fruit is flaunted and maximized to its fullest extent in the Droin lineage. Tasty stuff, with hints of class and sophistication to keep it all in focus. The delineation of flavors may not be as heightened as some of its other siblings by comparison, but the Fourchaume is still a worthy performer.
  
  Sealed with DIAM 10, so there’s time to confidently delay gratification for those who want to let these be for a while. That said, it’s a fun ride even now.

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  6/30/2020 - csimm wrote: 93 Points

  2018 Jean-Paul & Benoit Drion Vaudesir GC, Fourchaume 1er, and Montee de Tonnerre 1er side-by-side.
  
  The Fourchaume was the lightest of the bunch, though still carries some moderate weight and mid-palate depth to keep it from ever coming close to feeling washed-out or too lithe. Succulent lemon citrus, white melon rind, unripe white peach, and chalk. Finishes slightly lighter and less enveloping than the MdT.
  
  A great summer sipper; yet, my personal preference veered toward the more voluminous MdT and Vaudesir. Not surprisingly, the Vaudesir showed the greatest length and overall potential among the three. 91-92+ points for the Fourchaume (on day one). Hold for a few years ideally to blow off some of its youthfulness, develop additional seamless attributes in its delivery, and gain a bit of heft.
  
  Day Two Update: With additional exposure to air, this picked up greater intensity, with a really nice push of inviting and energetic yellow citrus flavors. I bumped this up to 93++ points (pushing 94). Still a good idea to hold for a couple of years.

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