If I lived in France, Lilian Duplessis' wines would never make it to the United States (very little do!). I would commit myself to consuming his entire production each vintage, that's how much I love the wines of his domaine, Gérard Duplessis. If I need to impress someone, enlighten someone, or enliven a meal, I bring these wines.
Today's offer spans a majority of his holdings, from village-level Chablis to Le Clos, the crown jewel of Chablis' Grand Crus, and one of the best plots for Chardonnay anywhere. Producing a singular expression of the grape that simply can not be replicated.
These wines are as traditional as they come, old-school Chablis whose lucidity are liquid transmissions of the chalky white soils that make this place so distinct and sought-after. Duplessis' wines are archaic in the best sense: generationally preserved, inimitable winemaking that has stood the test of time.
For fans of the legendary François Raveneau and Vincent Dauvissat, these are not to be missed. I believe Duplessis' wines are every bit as good as the aforementioned duo, yet cost exponentially less. I love these wines so much, I bought every bottle made available in the state.
I am proud to offer the ONLY bottles of Domaine Gérard Duplessis, Chablis in South Carolina!
I had a hard time deciding whether to offer these to you, or drink them myself! First come first served. |
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Le Clos Grand Cru 2021 $139.99
The only Grand Cru Lilian produces. From a tiny .3 hectare plot of 55 year old vines located smack-dab in the center of the famed vineyard. The biodynamically farmed grapes are hand harvested and fermented with ambient yeast in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then racked into barriques (10% new) where it ages for 18 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
A powerful, explosive nose of candied lemon, quince, honey suckle, flinty reduction and crushed rocks. The palate is dense and brooding yet perfectly balanced with intense, salty minerals, a deeply concentrated core of citrus fruit and snappy, driving acidity. It is giving plenty now, but there is real potential for greatness here. As serious and complex as wine gets.
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Montmains 1er Cru 2018 $79.99
At 3 hectares, this is the domaine's biggest plot, straddling the border of Montmains and 1er Cru Foret, with a third of the vines in Foret proper. Lillian chooses to bottle it as Montains as it is one continuous vineyard of clay over limestone bedrock. The 80 year old vines are hand harvested and vinified identically to Le Clos.
The most linear and tense wine Lilian makes, and his personal favorite. Punchy lemon zest, white peach, granny-smith apple, iodine and chalk dust dominate the nose. The palate is focused and well defined, with brisk citrus and orchard fruits backed by energetic acidity, saline minerals and angular textures. This is a pure, unadulterated, reference-point Chablis of pure class.
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Fourchaume 1er Cru 2021 $74.99
From two plots within this very stony vineyard, located on the north side of the village near the famous 1er Cru of Montée de Tonnerre. Fermented in stainless steel before transferred into 500L used oak barrels for 12 months. Lightly filtered before bottling.
A very elegant if slightly austere nose of stone fruit, white flowers, iodine, spice and just a touch of mint. The palate has incredible depth, persistence and length showcasing quince, orange rind and a fine bead of acidity which runs throughout. Beautiful right now but has all the stuffing to cellar wonderfully over the next 5 to 10 years.
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Mont de Milieu 1er Cru 2021 $74.99
Laying on the right bank of the Siene, Mont de Milieu receives plenty of warm sun, yet is comprised of pure limestone soils. So Lilian ferments and ages this wine exclusively in stainless steel, a departure from the other plots, in order to preserve the wine's inherent freshness, buoyant charm and purity of fruit.
Higher toned and more effusive than the others, this wine bursts with lemon verbena, green apple, delicate honeysuckle notes and touch of caramel. The palate's juicy citrus and pear fruit are countered by 2021's cool streak of refreshing acidity, and a pop of Chablis' textbook limestone minerality. A deceptively serious wine of immidiate joy.
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Chablis 2021 $54.99
Although labeled as a village wine, this is sourced from a single vineyard of relatively young vines (15 years old) within the town limits. Hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel, then aged in used barriques before bottling and release.
Classic Chablis in every sense, the nose offers bright lemon, iodine and chalky minerals. While the palate is filled with fresh citrus, crisp apple, salty minerals and an elegant touch of chamomile on the finish. A quaffable villages Chablis that punches way above it's weight class.
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Founded in 1895, Lilian Duplessis is the fifth generation to take the reins at this family-run estate. Shortly after succeeding his father Gérard in 1999, he set out to convert their land to one of the few organic wineries in Chablis, an appellation where industrial farming is commonplace. Known as the antiquarians of Chablis, this father and son team have gained a reputation for their traditional, 'immortal', age worthy wines.
All vinifications are done with indigenous yeasts and with only a touch of sulfur at bottling. These are some of the purest, most terroir-driven wines in all of Burgundy. |
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*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - CHOOSE ANY 2 & RECEIVE 5% OFF
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843-576-4845
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Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants |
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