We interviewed Vincent Dampt of his eponymous Domaine located in the heart of the original sector of Chablis— specifically, the left bank of the Serein river in Milly, on Kimmeridgian marl: a mixture of clay, chalk and marine fossils.
Vincent started walking the family vineyards with his grandmother at eight years old and followed in the family tradition when he was just fourteen by enrolling himself in wine school in Beaune. In 2002, Vincent began working with his father as winemaker, and in 2004 inherited a few small plots of vineyards, enabling him to create his own estate. His vines are 40-years-old on average and naturally achieve very low yields. In order to preserve every bit of the classic Chablis cut and minerality, Vincent chooses to vinify most of his wines in tank.
Vincent stands out as a leader in the new generation of winemakers in Chablis. In the interview below we discuss his beginnings, winemaking philosophy, and current lineup of quintessential Chablisienne wines.
THE INTERVIEW:
A TIMESTAMPED BREAKDOWN OF THE INTERVIEW:
- 0:00 – Vincent Dampt’s First Vintage & Meeting Michael & Harmon
- 2:20 – The Dampt Family in Chablis, Vincent’s Beginnings, and Connection to the Bachelets
- 8:00 – Vincent’s Terroir & the Chablis Appellation
- 10:53 – Petit Chablis Terroir vs. Chablis vs. Premier Cru vs. Grand Cru
- 14:09 – Petit Chablis: Why Vincent Uses Two Parcels & How They Compliment Each Other
- 16:48 – the 2019 Vintage
- 19:47 – The Petit Chablis
- 28:09 – The Chablis
- 41:04 – The Chablis 1er ‘Cote de Lechet’
- 48:31 – The Chablis 1er ‘Vaillons’
VINCENT ON THE 2020 VINTAGE:
THE WINES:
- 100% Chardonnay
- From 2 parcels: 70% from the village of Fyé, about 2km behind Grand Cru Les Clos, 20% from just above 1er Cru Beauroy
- 40+ year old vines
- Classic Portlandian limestone – very rocky with lots of stones
- Indigenous yeast
- Fermented in stainless steel
- Aged in 70% stainless steel, 30% 4-5 year old 350L barrels
- 100% Chardonnay
- From 3 parcels all surrounding 1er cur Vaillons, in the one of the best sections for village Chablis
- 40+ year old vines
- Classic Kimmeridgian limestone terroir
- Indigenous yeast
- Fermented and aged in 80% stainless steel, 20% 4 year old 350L barrels
Chablis 1er ‘Vaillons’, Vincent Dampt
- Southeast facing vines
- Classic Kimmeridgian soil
- 35+ year old vines
- On the rive gauche side of Chablis
- Indigenous yeast
- Aged in 80% tank, 20% barrel (4 year old, 350L)
Chablis 1er ‘Cote de Lechet’, Vincent Dampt
- Southeast facing vines
- Classic Kimmeridgian soil
- 55+ year old vines
- On the rive gauche side of Chablis
- Indigenous yeast
- Aged in 80% tank, 20% barrel (4 year old, 350L)
Chablis 1er, ‘Côte de Léchet 350’, Vincent Dampt
- Southeast facing vines
- Classic Kimmeridgian soil – Dampt’s steepest site
- 55+ year old vines
- Indigenous yeast
- Aged in one year old 350L barrels
