At a glance

Producer

Domaine Vincent Dauvissat

Region

Chablis, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$350-$500 per 750ml bottle (Wine-Searcher average, late 2023 to 2024 retail pricing)

Tasting profile

Lime, green apple, white peach, intense chalky minerality, oyster shell, subtle hazelnut and flinty reduction. Palate is precise and focused, with racy acidity, subtle creaminess, and a long saline finish.

Evolution: Primary citrus and orchard fruit notes will gradually give way to savory, nutty, and honeyed nuances; minerality will deepen, texture will become rounder, acidity will soften but remain present.

At peak: Superb tension between fruit, minerality and evolved savory elements; utmost complexity, freshness, and length typical of peak mature Dauvissat La Forest.

Structure

Acidity

High, minerally—remains vibrant and supportive of age; aging has softened but core freshness persists

Tannins

None (White Chardonnay—only slight phenolic grip, resolved and integrated)

Alcohol

Moderate (12.5% ABV); fully integrated and balanced

Aging potential

15-18 years post-vintage for top examples; 2013 likely to perform at high level through c. 2028

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2021 to 2038

Optimal window

2018 to 2041

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Excellent; fresh, complex, mineral, and lively with mature tertiary notes but no oxidation

2013 is a classic Chablis vintage of moderate ripeness and high acidity, giving wines capable of graceful aging. From 2022-2026, La Forest 2013 displays both lingering fruit purity and developing complexity: secondary flavors (hazelnut, brioche, intense iodine minerality) meld with core citrus and oyster shell. After peak, oxidative notes can set in, dulling clarity and vivacity; thus, the listed window balances freshness, vibrancy, and layered maturity.

Food pairing

Seafood is ideal: oysters, langoustines, Dover sole, scallops, or sashimi. Also excellent with roasted chicken, veal in creamy sauces, lightly truffled dishes, Comté cheese, and Japanese tempura. As the wine matures and develops nutty/savory notes, it pairs even better with aged cheeses and richer shellfish preparations.

Serving

Serving temperature

11-13°C / 52-55°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — To help open up any reductive notes and allow greater aromatic complexity to emerge in mature Chablis; moderate decanting is preferable to avoid oxidation.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Hand-harvested, native yeasts, minimal chemical use, low sulfur use, sustainable viticulture, respect for biodiversity

Domaine Vincent Dauvissat is known for traditional, low-intervention, environmentally sensitive farming but has not pursued formal organic certification. The estate's practices result in a strong sustainability profile, though lack of formal certification and standard packaging/bottle weight keep the score below the top tier.