Jean-Claude Bessin

Valmur Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay

9.289 ratings
9.225 pro ratings
Chablis, Burgundy, France
Chardonnay
Top Notes For
Aaron Tan

After reading all the rave reviews on Bessin’s Valmur recently (baby Rav according to some netizens), I was really excited to try this bottle. Sadly, it fell below expectations which was likely no one’s fault other than your’s truly - a little less care during transport left the wine with a nagging honey note that I abhor in young Chards. A touch of premox I believe, which stands in contradiction with another element I found lacklustre - the bottle was so stubbornly primary. Ripe-fruited even, with face-smacking stone fruits that masked the more Chablis-esque characters I so love. This point I can forgive considering the wine’s youth. I just wished it was more mineral and taut. It’s not all grim though as this sample was certainly concentrated, with plush textures that filled every corner of the palate. Definitely a wine to revisit.

NB: I believe WK gave this his highest score for 20’ Chablis. Great value at sub AUD150 in most markets.

After reading all the rave reviews on Bessin’s Valmur recently (baby Rav according to some netizens), I was really excited to try this bottle. Sadly, it fell below expectations which was likely no one’s fault other than your’s truly - a little less care during transport left the wine with a nagging honey note that I abhor in young Chards. A touch of premox I believe, which stands in contradiction with another element I found lacklustre - the bottle was so stubbornly primary. Ripe-fruited even, with face-smacking stone fruits that masked the more Chablis-esque characters I so love. This point I can forgive considering the wine’s youth. I just wished it was more mineral and taut. It’s not all grim though as this sample was certainly concentrated, with plush textures that filled every corner of the palate. Definitely a wine to revisit.

NB: I believe WK gave this his highest score for 20’ Chablis. Great value at sub AUD150 in most markets.

1 person found it helpfulApr 24th, 2023
Jordan Salcito

Sommelier/Wine Director Momofuku, Vintner Bellus Wines

9.1

Excited to finally try these. Very pure examples of Chablis, and still under the radar.

Excited to finally try these. Very pure examples of Chablis, and still under the radar.

1 person found it helpfulSep 21st, 2015
Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.2

Phô loves Valmur. Beautiful presence already. I'm impressed with Bessin

Phô loves Valmur. Beautiful presence already. I'm impressed with Bessin

Oct 25th, 2016
Sam Coturri

Winery Sixteen 600, Enterprise Vineyards and the Moon Mountain District

9.1

Zesty, clean, straight forward Chablis. Lemon rind and wet gravel. Super delicious but hardly transcendent.

Zesty, clean, straight forward Chablis. Lemon rind and wet gravel. Super delicious but hardly transcendent.

May 13th, 2016
jake aziz

Also awesome. Not upset with life today.

Also awesome. Not upset with life today.

Sep 15th, 2015
Sam Haltiwanger

Meyer lemon, cheese rind, yellow apple

Meyer lemon, cheese rind, yellow apple

May 7th, 2015
Jay Clark

Whoa

Whoa

May 5th, 2015
Mo Cherry

Love this wine!

Love this wine!

Jan 27th, 2015
Chris MacLean

A bit closed, and a hint of premox, but it got better. Why didn't i decant?

A bit closed, and a hint of premox, but it got better. Why didn't i decant?

Jan 24th, 2015
Vincent Bottreau

La sagesse aurait été de l'attendre encore un peu. Les Fines de Claire ont apprécié.

La sagesse aurait été de l'attendre encore un peu. Les Fines de Claire ont apprécié.

Dec 26th, 2014