
- 92
2023 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Forets Chablis Premier Cru
Founded in the 1950s and now led by Virginie Moreau, this long-established Chablis estate has built a reputation for wines of purity, depth and precision. Virginie continues the legacy of her late husband Stéphane, who steered the domaine toward organic farming, indigenous fermentations and long lees ageing in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak. The vineyards, centred around Préhy, Courgis and Chablis itself, are managed by hand and cropped at modest yields to capture the tension and minerality that define the region’s greatest sites. Moreau-Naudet's wines are recognised for their textural weight, unforced detail and faithful reflection of terroir, aligning them with the classic, artisanal style of Chablis.
Forêts is part of the Montmains slope, and Moreau owns two plots totalling nearly two hectares. One parcel sits adjacent to Dauvissat's older vines, the other next to Raveneau's holdings, giving exposure to some of the region's most respected terroirs. Fermentation and ageing combine both steel and used oak (approximately 30 percent), and the wine is allowed to mature for two years. This cuvée is a pure statement of terroir with a mineral drive and layered structure.
Other Reviews....
Vinified in a combination of used oak (30%) and stainless steel, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Forêts is one of the highlights from Moreau-Naudet’s portfolio this year, beautifully exemplifying the classical Chablisien character. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of beeswax, orange zest and pear, mingling with oyster shell, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and tense, with vibrant acidity and excellent cut. It concludes with a pure, chalky finish. Virginie Moreau admits that in recent years she has given a slight preference to Forêts over the expressiveness of Vaillons. Readers will be able to make their own conclusions, as both wines come warmly recommended.
92-94 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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