The vineyards of Chateau de Maligny are a special bit of land, formerly the property of César of Vendome, natural son of King Henri IV and Gabrielle d’Estrée (hence the name). As far as chateaux are concerned, Maligny was on the small side. César considered it more of an income property than a residence, but he appreciated the estate’s wines. This support earned Maligny considerable recognition.

This Chablis comes from vines in a corner of one of the estate’s vineyards that consistently produces wines a notch or two better than those from the surrounding vines. It’s not just royal pedigree that gives the vineyards value. The soil here is particularly favourable, composed of tiny marine fossils. The calcium-rich soil is evident in the wine’s fine mineral structure. The bouquet and palate are bright and fruit-forward, the product of exceptional fruit fermented in stainless steel rather than in oak. Delicious now but slow to evolve, this is a Chablis that rewards a bit of time in the cellar.