Testut Chablis 1er Cru "Montee de Tonnerre" 2021

2021 Testut Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre

Notes:

Domaine Testut is one of Chablis' historic family estates, with a winemaking history dating back to the 1960s. Today, the domaine is led by Cyril Testut, who farms some of the region's most prized vineyard sites while maintaining a traditional philosophy focused on low yields, old vines, and expressing the unique character of Chablis' terroir. The estate is particularly known for its holdings in Montée de Tonnerre and Château Grenouilles Grand Cru.
Montée de Tonnerre is widely regarded as the greatest Premier Cru vineyard in Chablis and is often considered "Grand Cru in all but name." Located immediately adjacent to the Grand Cru slope, it benefits from a superior southeast-facing exposition and shares the same prized Kimmeridgian limestone soils that define Chablis' most celebrated wines. Many collectors view Montée de Tonnerre as the Premier Cru most capable of rivaling Grand Cru quality.
The vineyard is planted on ancient Kimmeridgian soils composed of clay, limestone, and fossilized marine sediments dating back more than 150 million years. These soils are responsible for the unmistakable mineral character that has made Chablis famous, often contributing notes of oyster shell, flint, crushed stone, and saline complexity.
Testut's parcel is composed of massal-selection Chardonnay vines that average more than 60 years of age. Old vines naturally produce smaller yields and greater concentration, allowing the wine to develop remarkable depth while preserving freshness and precision. Hand harvesting further ensures only the highest quality fruit reaches the cellar.
Winemaking remains deliberately traditional. The fruit is gently pressed and fermented primarily in stainless steel to preserve purity and vineyard expression. The wine then undergoes an extended élevage of approximately 9 to 18 months, allowing additional texture and complexity to develop without sacrificing the bright acidity that defines great Chablis.
Tasting notes consistently highlight the wine's vibrant citrus profile, floral aromatics, and intense minerality. Burgundy Report described the 2021 Montée de Tonnerre as possessing "lots of citrus," floral complexity, and a gorgeously mineral finish, while the domaine emphasizes its combination of power, richness, harmony, and mineral rigor.
Although already impressive in its youth, the structure, acidity, and mineral backbone of Montée de Tonnerre allow it to age beautifully for a decade or more. With time, youthful citrus and orchard fruit notes evolve into layers of honey, hazelnut, flint, and maritime complexity, making it one of the most rewarding wines in all of Chablis.