Roland Lavantureux, Chardonnay, Petit Chablis, Burgundy, France 2018

David and Arnaud Lavantureux, young Chablisien prodigies, have taken an already stellar family domaine and lifted it to the next level. They have added new wines, including premier and grand cru sites, to their lineup, and introduced fresh ideas to vineyard and cellar work — all with passion, drive, and crucially, pinpoint precision in their execution.

Their most humble cuvée, Petit Chablis, remains the domaine’s benchmark for value and typicity. With a delectable combination of fresh fruit and oyster-shell aromatics, a texture on the palate that is both suave and linear, and a finish as mouthwatering as one demands from cool-climate Chardonnay from limestone soils, this Petit remains one of the grandest bargains we import.

A shiny yellow color, a fine and fruity nose with notes of citrus fruit. The mouth is pleasant and surprises with its freshness. We recognize peach and grapefruit. It is crispy and intense. This wine can be tasted as aperitif, with starter, oysters or fresh goat cheese.

Rendez-vous in a few years to check in on the Lavantureux brothers’ wines—if they are finally perceived for their true value, stocking up will be nowhere near as easy as it is today.