Why it matters
The producer
Two generations work side by side at Domaine Christophe Camu in Chablis. The domaine combines ancestral traditions with modern approaches to viticulture, and its range stretches across the Chablis hierarchy.
Its defining vineyard is Les Clos, a Chablis Grand Cru parcel acquired by Christophe Camu in 1996. The cellar uses indigenous yeasts for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in vats, keeping the main fermentation work tied to the domaine's own cellar practice.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The village and appellation share the name Chablis. The domaine produces across Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru, four levels that move from broad appellation names to higher vineyard categories.
That hierarchy changes the label as well as the wine's address. Petit Chablis and Chablis identify wider appellation levels, while Premier Cru and Grand Cru name more specific vineyard categories. Domaine Christophe Camu works across the full sequence.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Les Clos 2021 comes from two parcels, one near the road and another on the mid slope next to Pinson. All of the wine is barrel aged, with a large part of the barrels new.
The wine undergoes natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations with 100% indigenous yeasts in vats. Malolactic fermentation converts sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, changing the mouthfeel as the wine develops.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range covers all four Chablis appellation tiers. Chablis 2023 is a 100% Chardonnay wine made with natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentation using indigenous yeast in vats. Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2021 sits at the named vineyard level and receives barrel ageing.
The two bottles occupy different places in the range. Chablis 2023 carries the Chablis appellation, while Les Clos 2021 carries the Grand Cru vineyard name and a more specific parcel origin.