Founded in 1585, Domaine Raoul Gautherin et Fils is one of the oldest family-run estates in Chablis, passed down through generations from father to son. Today, the estate remains under family stewardship, combining centuries of tradition with careful modern techniques. Their vineyards are rooted in the region’s signature Kimmeridgian limestone soils – fossil-rich, mineral-laden terrain that gives Chablis its distinctive purity and finesse. The Vaillons 1er Cru site, located on a well-exposed slope, allows Chardonnay to ripen slowly, preserving natural acidity and tension.

The 2023 Vaillons is made with a low-intervention approach that emphasizes clarity of fruit and terroir expression. Fermented and aged in stainless steel to retain freshness, the wine shows classic Chablis character: lifted aromas of citrus blossom, white peach, and wet stone, followed by a palate of green apple, lemon zest, and a chalky, saline backbone. Bright, focused, and elegant, it finishes with precision and lingering minerality.

A natural match for oysters, shellfish, and poached white fish, this wine also shines alongside creamy goat cheese, lemon roast chicken, or scallop crudo—dishes that echo its brightness and subtle complexity.

“The 2023 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru is slightly paler than Gautherin’s other cuvées. It foregoes the Vaillons’ usual creaminess on the nose. This is a little more taut and stony at first, though after ten minutes, there are finely delineated hints of mascarpone and lemon verbena. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with lovely weight and texture. It’s a little round, but there is sufficient acidity to keep this on its toes and the 2023 feels long on the finish. Warning: this will be difficult to resist.”
91 points, Neal Martin, Vinous Media, July 2025