Jean-Claude Bessin
Chablis

The Estate
 The estate is located in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, north of Chablis. The family has been producing wine since the 19th century. Jean-Claude Bessin and his wife Evelyne started in 1989. They reworked the vineyard and performed other renovations to the estate to improve the quality of the wines and develop greater finesse and complexity. 1992 was their first vintage. Jean-Claude Bessin has focused on making wines that best reflect the character of the splendid Chablis terroir.
"A producer of classic, mineral-inflected Chablis from old vines; a good source." 
- Anthony Dias Blue's pocket guide to wine 2006


Jean-Claude Bessin

The Vineyard
The vineyard is planted with 12 hectares (29.6 acres) of Chardonnay:  5 hectares - Chablis A.O.C.; 3 hectares - "Montmains" Premier Cru; 2 hectares - "La Fourchaume" Premier Cru;  2 hectares - "Valmur" Grand Cru. Production averages 550 - 600 hectoliters (5,000 - 6,000 cases). 25% of the wine is sold in bulk to négociant. The first vintage in bottle was 1992 (but they began to sell in bulk in 1990). These wines are a good example of the differences in Terroir: Chablis being open and flowing, "Montmains" harder and more mineral, Fourchaume rich and more exotic, "Valmur" having the most viscosity, power and length of finish. Valmur is situated between Vaudesir and Grenouilles and typically produces wines that are both luscious and fruity with ample minerality. The Cru "Montmains" is always the last wine released due to its closed, mineral and acidic character when young.  

The Wines



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#F1EE107034CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00016 6
2006 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis 12/750ml
 Produced outside the postage stamp of a town called Chablis in northern France, the wine is 100% Chardonnay grapes. Chablis is an uncomplicated, mineral laden wine with good acidity. Best with food or 5 years of bottle age. Chablis is one of the great classic wines of France.

#F1EE10719CHS   
UPC code: 7 84585 00016 6
2005 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis 12/750ml
"Led by lemons, stones and green apple, and finishing with tangy mineral flavors." - "OUTSTANDING" - Washington Post (March 7, 2007)

 National Retail Price: $27.99 / bottle

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2006 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis  24/375ml


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#F1EE107042CHM     
UPC code: 7 84585 00471 3
2006  Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, Grand Cru, “Valmur” 12/750ml        
 The wine offers a beautiful bouquet and exudes class, a peachy middle palate and a marvellous finish. Depth and concentration.

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UPC code: 7 84585 00471 3
2005  Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, Grand Cru, “Valmur” 12/750ml        
Luscious and fruity with ample minerality. Powerful with a good structure.

 National Retail Price: $60.95 / bottle























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2006 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, 1er Cru, “La Fourchaume”, Vieilles Vignes 12/750ml
 UPC code: 7 84585 00470 6
 From a tiny 5 acre parcel with low yielding old vines with an average age of 45 to 75 years. Only 10% barrel aged, the wine's vinous structure is derived from extended lees aging; i.e., contact with dead yeast and grape solids that are later separated out before bottling.
Aromatic wine with honey and apricot notes. Easy drinking.

 "The 2006 Chablis Fourchaume offers a ripe and appealingly refreshing meld of lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, yellow plum, and honey. Bitter-sweet notes of citrus peel accentuate a slightly sweet-sour (gooseberry preserve) cast found in other Bessin 2006s as well, but there is a good underlying sense of chalky minerality and a solid finish. This should prove to be a useful wine worth following for at least 3-4 years."
- Wine Advocate (Oct 2008), 87 pts

#F1EE107022CHM
 UPC code: 7 84585 00470 6
2005 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, 1er Cru, “La Fourchaume”, Vieilles Vignes 12/750ml
 From a tiny 5 acre parcel with low yielding old vines with an average age of 45 to 75 years. Only 10% barrel aged, the wine's vinous structure is derived from extended lees aging; i.e., contact with dead yeast and grape solids that are later separated out before bottling.
Aromatic wine with honey and apricot notes. Easy drinking.

"Lovely ripe melon and pear, limestone, complex, layered nose. Vibrant, lively acidity, delicate style, mineral, leesy-creamy palate. Long, succulent finish. Excellent! Up to 5 Years". - Decanter award, 5 stars (Sept. 2007)

 National Retail Price: $38.99 / bottle


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 UPC code: 7 84585 00901 5
2006 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, 1er Cru, “La Fourchaume”, La Piece au Comte 12/750ml
"La Piece au Comte" refers to the ancient Count of Maligny,  a village in Burgundy.
The grapes are sourced from a historical parcel of the estate that is planted with their oldest vines (75 years old). Aged in 20% oak. The wine was bottled between November 2006 and February 2007.
Pear, green apple, white flower aromas. Bright fruit, bold acidity and minerality hints on the palate. Rich and elegant, perfect balance and a long finish.
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 UPC code: 7 84585 00901 5
2005 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, 1er Cru, “La Fourchaume”, La Piece au Comte 12/750ml
"La Piece au Comte" refers to the ancient Count of Maligny,  a village in Burgundy.
The grapes are sourced from a historical parcel of the estate that is planted with their oldest vines (75 years old). Aged in 20% oak. The wine was bottled between November 2006 and February 2007.
Pear, green apple, white flower aromas. Bright fruit, bold acidity and minerality hints on the palate. Rich and elegant, perfect balance and a long finish.
National Retail Price: $45.95 / bottle



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#F1EE107041CHS
 UPC code: 7 84585 00469 0  
2006 Jean-Claude Bessin, Chablis, 1er Cru, “Montmains” 12/750ml
15% aged in oak 92% new oak for 6 months.
Mineral aromas that reflect perfectly the type of soil (made of oyster shells).
Stony minerality, nice acidity, luscious fruits, white flower notes. Perfect with seafood. A stunning wine!

 National Retail Price: $38.99 / bottle