Article: 2020 Louis Michel Chablis 1er Butteaux Vieilles Vignes
2020 Louis Michel Chablis 1er Butteaux Vieilles Vignes
“The 2020 vintage is a real success here and likely the domaine's best since 2017”
Over the Christmas holiday I enjoyed a bottle of the Louis Michel Butteaux Vieilles Vignes. As I poured the last glass, I sadly said to my friend “I wish I had more of this one.” It was drinking beautifully! Wishes do come true because one of the first offers I received in 2025 was for a number of Louis Michel wines. As I looked closer, 120 btls Butteaux Vieilles Vignes were on offer. My eyes lit up and I quickly replied “I’LL TAKE IT ALL!
This one has everything I love about Chablis; a citrus leaning nose with a waft of sea breeze and the character and richness of the vintage most definitely present. You can feel the weight and density of the wine as it makes the side of your jaw ache, in the best way possible. You’ll love the energy and salinity on display, leaving no doubt you could only be drinking Chablis. It is delicious!
I know we haven’t really felt the crunch yet, but with 2024 being a total disaster (some producers made zero) we are going to start seeing some incredible pressure on supply which ultimately will put pressure on the price. My strategy and advice to anyone that buys Chablis is to start buying a little more than you might otherwise. I’m telling you, a year from now you will be glad you have these in your cellar. This is a no-brainer, especially as I have it on offer at the original price. Those of you that buy Chablis or like a chiseled White Burgundy, you are going to be happy with this one. Buy with confidence and remember to thank me later.
Gicqueau-Michel noted that this had been racked only 10 days before my visit and thus it's not surprising that the nose was largely dominated by reduction and sulfur nuances. More interesting are the sleek, intense and more concentrated if slightly less energetic flavors that flash a refreshing salinity on the very dry and balanced finale. This too possesses fine development potential.
- Burghound, 90-93
The 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux Vieilles Vignes will be bottled later than usual, as Michel was still waiting on the delivery of glass bottles when I visited—but extra time on the fine lees certainly won't do it any harm. Exhibiting aromas of pear, white flowers, freshly baked bread, confit citrus and iodine, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with terrific depth and tension. It's a close race between this and Michel's Vaulorent this year
- William Kelley, 93+
