2023 Clément Lavallée Saint-Bris "Les Copains d'Abord"
Whites
$55.00
Saint-Bris is Burgundy's great anomaly. Granted AOC status in 2003, it is the only appellation in the entire region permitted to produce white wine from Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, setting it apart from the Chardonnay-dominated landscape that surrounds it. Situated just southwest of Chablis near the city of Auxerre, its cool climate and Kimmeridgian limestone soils share much in common with its famous neighbor, lending the wines a distinctive mineral edge alongside their aromatic Sauvignon character. Clément Lavallée is one of the appellation's most exciting young producers. After stints at Chapoutier and Château Margaux, he struck out on his own in 2019 alongside his sister Caroline, farming 5.5 hectares without reliance on chemicals and making wines that punch well above the appellation's modest profile. "Les Copains d'Abord" — loosely translated as "Friends First" — is his flagship Saint-Bris cuvée, and the 2023 is a beautiful expression of what this terroir can deliver. In the glass, the wine is pale straw with a bright, youthful gleam. The nose is expressive and layered, leading with grapefruit, mandarin orange, and white peach, alongside crushed blackcurrant leaves and white flowers. More exotic notes of lychee and a subtle saline, iodine-edged minerality round out the aromatics, giving the wine real complexity and intrigue. The palate is taut and refined, with vivid acidity providing energy and focus. Fresh citrus and stone fruit carry through the mid-palate, framed by a fine mineral backbone and a hint of spice on the finish. More structured than the 2022, the 2023 strikes a beautiful balance between fruit and minerality, with a mouthwatering, lingering close. A natural partner for oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, or a simple summer spread with friends — exactly as the name suggests.
Available for pickup, local delivery, or shipping from 1128 W Armitage Ave, Chicago.