“2019 has really concentrated all the best qualities of our unique Kimmeridgian terroir into something very special. The vintage delivered great acidity, a density of fruit, and a perfect level of ripeness into an elegant and balanced package.”

– Charlène Pinson

Having a family that has farmed in the heart of Chablis since 1640, and now with eleven vintages leading the domaine under her belt, Charlène Pinson is not someone typically prone to hyperbole. But, when discussing her 2019s with her father Laurent she could not hide her enthusiasm:

2019 has really concentrated all the best qualities of our unique Kimmeridgian terroir into something very special. The vintage delivered great acidity, a density of fruit, and a perfect level of ripeness into an elegant and balanced package. The alcohol range for the entire line was near an ideal 13%, with an intensity of fruit and saline minerality that reveals as much vineyard character as I have ever seen for each terroir.

Nobody in the family has ever witnessed this high level of maturity blended with so much bracing acidity in our long history. From Petit Chablis to Les Clos every wine is singing in 2019. The only serious downside of 2019 is that on average we made around 40% less than usual. That is also one of the reasons that all the beauty of the vines was concentrated so amazingly well across the entire lineup.

In a village steeped in history, the Pinsons stand out as one of the oldest families in all of Chablis. The Domaine today is led by the dynamic Charlène Pinson and her father Laurent, who own fourteen hectares of the crème de la crème of Chablis terroir, with prime holdings in six premier crus. The philosophy focuses on obtaining perfect fruit and translating the pure Kimmeridgian-dominated soils into crystalline Chardonnay that reflects the distinct, salty marine life of each site.

In the cellar, they believe that every parcel requires a unique vinification. To express each individual terroir, a few higher of the higher-level Crus are barrel fermented, while most are fermented in tank. Aging also sees a variety of vessels, including older barrels and stainless steel. Charlène follows no dogma, only using experience to determine the best approach for each terroir. It is an intuitive process, one which results in a stunning display of intense purity across their range.

THE FULL INTERVIEW

A TIMESTAMPED BREAKDOWN OF THE INTERVIEW

0:00 – History of Domaine Pinson (the documents date back to 1640!)
8:00 – Charlène on her experience before joining the Domaine in 2008
11:56 – Laurent & Charlène on working together as a father-daughter duo
15:39 – Hinkle on Pinson Terroir, and the ’18 & ’19 Chablis Vintages
17:31 – Laurent on adapting to warmer, dryer growing seasons
19:14 – Petit Chablis 2019
25:16 – A general overview of 2019 vs. 2018
26:44 – Chablis 2019
31:40 – Chablis 1er ’Montee de Tonnerre’ 2019
35:01 – Comparisons to the Chablis 2018
41:53 – Chablis 1er ‘Montmain’ & Chablis 1er ’La Foret’
45:21 – Chablis 1er ’Fourchaume’ 2018
48:48 – Adapting to global warming – changes from 2003 to today
55:59 – Chablis 1er ’Mont de Milieu’ 2018

THE WINES

PETIT CHABLIS, DOMAINE PINSON

From vines directly above Grand Cru Les Clos
35+ year old vines
Eastern exposure
Very rocky Portlandian limestone terroir
Indigenous yeast
Fermented and aged in tank

CHABLIS, DOMAINE PINSON

40+ year old vines
From 2 parcels in the heart of Chablis
- Just below 1er Cru Mont de Mlieu
- Between 1er Cru Vaillons and 1er Cru Montmains
Grown on classic Kimmeridgian soil
Southeast exposure
Indigenous yeast
Fermented and aged in tank