Jean-Claude Bessin - Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2023

Jean-Claude Bessin and his wife, Evelyne, took the reins of Evelyne’s family vineyards in 1992 and began transforming the estate. Although the family had been growing grapes in Chablis since the 19th century, the wines were, until then, produced at a co-operative.

Jean-Claude Bessin’s cellar lies underneath the church in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, north of the town of Chablis. From his 12 hectares, Bessin produces two Chablis village, four Chablis 1er Cru, including a special cuvée of Fourchaume labeled La Pièce au Comte, and a thought-after Valmur Grand Cru.  

Today, Romain, Jean-Claude and Evelyne’s son, works alongside his father in the vineyards and in the cellar.

In the vineyard, Jean-Claude farms organically and aims to limit the yield of his old vines to 45-50 hl/ha. When the harvest comes, the grapes are manually picked and thoroughly sorted. Harvest usually lasts no longer than 10 days to make sure all grapes are harvested at their optimal maturity.

Evolution in recent years has been towards more natural winemaking. Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes are pressed, slowly and gently. The must is then racked into thermo-regulated tanks for the fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wines are aged on fine lees, for 15 to 18 months, with a maximum of 10% new oak. If necessary, light fining and filtration are performed before bottling. Whole-cluster pressing (pneumatic), indigenous yeast fermentation. The Bessin vineyards are farmed organically. 

Jean-Claude Bessin's wines are among the most highly regarded in the Chablis. This selection of old vine Chablis is the flagship wine of the domaine. 

"Still in tank. Mid lemon colour. Remains austere on the nose, the extra ageing has added tension. Pure white orchard fruit on the palate, a good fruit acid balance, a marine note to finish. Understated, not immensely concentrated, but certainly fine. No wood Drink from 2025-2029. Tasted Jun 2025." - 88-90 Points, Jasper Morris

"Note: from a huge holding of 4.05 ha of vines in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne. A slightly riper citrus confit-suffused nose is aromatically similar to the straight Chablis but with more petrol influence. There is better density and richness if not better vibrancy to the caressing medium weight flavors that deliver fine length on the balanced, youthfully austere and lemon-lime-suffused finish. This is also quite good for its level and worth checking out.*Burghound Outstanding Top Value!*" - 89-91 Points, Burghound (tasted 10/24)

"The pronounced aromas of lime peel and passion fruit with a decidedly tangy saline/mineral underpinning are an enticing introduction to this superb village Chablis. Lively acidity balances rich extract to drive this to an impressively long finish. Most of the vines were planted between 1950-1974 and are on the higher slopes of Bessin's native village of La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne. Romain Bessin feels that the 2023 shows more balance and less influence from the warm weather than in 2022." - 95 Points, Decanter

Producer: Jean-Claude Bessin

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Chablis 

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml