Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils

One of the oldest and most respected names in Chablis with superb vineyard holdings reflecting the families very long history in Chablis, this branch of the Moreau family is headed by Christian and now his son Fabien who is the winemaker and manager.

Possessing magnificent vineyard holdings built up in some of the very best vineyard areas of Chablis by the family over generations (including nearly 8 hectares out of Chablis’ total 92 hectares of Grand cru), this small but remarkable estate has in just a few years established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis producing consistently outstanding wines.

With relatively small (but very well sited) holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis, the highlights here are undoubtedly the amazing range of Grand cru vineyards including one single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos as well as .41 hectares of Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos plus slightly smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir.

A combination of exceptional vineyard sites, old vines, brilliant wine-making and fastidious care in every step of production has resulted in these wines being regarded as amongst the very best produced in Chablis. Now the wines are gaining in even clearer expression with the vineyards having been certified organic since 2013 and together with some new tanks and other investments the results are showing clearly in the wines with each vintage. These are wines of precision, crystal clear typicity, and elegance, that will age classically while enabling tremendous enjoyment throughout their lives.

2024 vintage
“20 treatments! And that was for less than half of what we produced in 2021. And the grand crus only 6 hl/ha – there will only be a single grand cru cuvée – and not a big one. My father and grandfather have no memory of blending the grand cru climats before. There was no Petit Chablis either, so I think that there will only be three cuvées next year…”
Burgundy Report, Bill Nanson, May 2025.
“In 2024, we lost 92% of the Grand Crus, 75% in Vaillons and 40% with the Village Crus. The most damage was on the Right Bank, which was hit by hail on May 1. On that day, we lost 80% in Valmur, Vaudésir and Petit Chablis. The second hail was in July. We also had some frost damage, mostly in Vaillons. We had rain until January 2025, so mildew was rampant. We made 30 hectolitres of Grand Cru. Organic farming was right on the edge, but we will continue.” Vinous Media, Neal Martin, July 2025.

2024 Petit Chablis - NOT made - all last to frost and hail

2024 Chablis AC - due September
Aged in stainless steel this year. 40+ years old vines. Comes mostly from a blend of 2 cuvees from the village of Beru in the east which Fabien describes as naturally reductive, and more recently a parcel from behind the hill of Grand cru’s towards Fontenay. The blend of these 2 terroirs brings extra complexity and a perfect balance of generosity, coolness and minerality from Fontenay together with reserve and finesse from Beru.
(100% stainless). The 2024 Chablis Village, which was taken from tank, has a light, fresh, marine-inuenced bouquet that becomes quite smoky. The palate is lightly spiced, with ne weight, a citric nish and moderate length. (85-87) Vinous Media, Neal Martin, July 2025.

2023 vintage
This 12.5 ha domaine is directed by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, and it was the younger Moreau with whom I met this year. He described the 2023 vintage as “yet another one where I feared we would suffer significant frost damage as the early April conditions were ripe for it, in the end there was no damage of consequence. By contrast, there was enough rainfall throughout the season such that, despite the heat, the vines largely avoided water stress though those same conditions did trigger a strong attack of mildew that did some damage. Then, about two weeks before the harvest we were hit with a heat wave that caused acid levels to begin declining so choosing the optimal date to start the harvest was delicate. In the end, we chose to begin picking on the 8th of September.

The fruit was clean with generous but not excessive yields of mostly between 65 to 68 hl/ha, which is about what we realized in 2011. Potential alcohols were also good but not high as they ranged from 12.5 to 13.2%. Acidities though were on the lower side so we chose we blocked the malos in a few wines and in all cases, we eliminated the press wine as it always has much higher amounts of potassium. [Potassium is a base, chemically speaking, and higher levels cause the pHs to rise.] We also had a few wines that finished their alcoholics while leaving 1 to 1.5 grams of sugar so a few of the fermentations were complicated to manage. As to the wines, it’s hard to pin them down right now as they keep changing, and improving.

To me, they have more character than the 2016s and are less exotic than the 2018s. But each vintage is unique so I expect that the 2023s will develop their own personality as well.” I also retasted the range of 2022s, which were bottled between August 2023 and February 2024. For several years, the domaine was bottling the Chablis villages, Vaillons and Cuvée Guy Moreau under the Diam brand composite cork. However, since 2020, all of the wines are stoppered using Diam. Burghound October 2024

WINE NOTES AND REVIEWS

2023 Petit Chablis - SOLD OUT - 2024 NOT made - all last to frost and hail
From vines located at the top of the hill of Grand Crus only metres from the Grand cru Valmur and also this wine includes another very small 0.4 ha planting also at the crest of the hill of Grand Crus (just above Vaudesir) that the Moreau family have planted more recently. This wine shows amazing depth and detail and provides remarkable value. An absolute bargain but unfortunately very limited quantities available as this is their smallest holding (after the tiny 0.41ha of Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos). Thankfully Australia and Norway receive the lions share of this tiny production which is perhaps too small to share with the rest of the world. Don’t delay as this always sells out very quickly!
Review for 2019 vintage ”I understand that you are unlikely to find this wine unless you live in Australia or Norway. Consumers in those countries should pile in quickly! It comes from just 0.50ha above Valmur and 0.27 above Vaudésir. This is really gorgeous, very grapey along with a lime-laden nose. Just a spicy hint of fully ripe grapes. Attractively clear cut, fine acidity behind, riotously juicy. This weighs in at 12.6% alcohol. Tasted: July 2020” Jasper Morris, Insideburgundy.com, December 2020

2023 Chablis AC - more due September
Aged mostly in stainless steel with 15% of the blend this year seeing barrel ageing. 40+ years old vines. Comes mostly from a blend of 2 cuvees from the village of Beru in the east which Fabien describes as naturally reductive, and more recently a parcel from behind the hill of Grand cru’s towards Fontenay. The blend of these 2 terroirs brings extra complexity and a perfect balance of generosity, coolness and minerality from Fontenay together with reserve and finesse from Beru.
(100% stainless). There is ample Chablis typicity to the nicely fresh aromas of citrus, pear and sea breeze. The sense of freshness is enhanced by the vibrant and detailed middle weight flavors that culminate in a lightly stony and appealingly textured finish. This should drink well young but repay mid-term keeping. (88-90)/2027+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon - more due September
From 3.8 ha of 30 to 70+ y.o. vines with a south, south-east exposure. Hand harvest, natural yeast ferment and aged 2/3rd’s in tank and 1/3rd in barrique for 6-8 months. This wine in recent years is showing even greater definition and class. Is it from the organic viticulture, new tanks and equipment giving sharper focus, or now that Fabien has nearly 20 vintages of experience in creating what has become one of the most seamless and perfectly formed 1er cru Chablis’ to come from this appellation. You be the judge, but be quick as this is always the first to sell out.
(40+ year old vines mostly situated in Vaillons proper with additional parcels in Châtains and Epinottes). A vague whiff of the exotic lurks in the background of the aromas of pear, citrus rind and discreet spice nuances. There is both more volume and refinement to the nicely concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess better depth on the equally lightly finish that offers a bit more persistence. (90-92)/2029+ (90-92)/2029+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon ‘Guy Moreau’ - more due December
From vines planted in 1933. 70% vinified in tank and 30% in oak, less than 2% new).
(from vines planted in 1933 in Vaillons proper). Here too a whiff of the exotic can be found on the slightly riper aromas of pear, apple and citrus confit plus just enough Chablis typicity to be interesting. As is usually the case, the old vines are in evidence on the middle weight plus flavors thanks to the abundance of sappy dry extract that coats the palate on the seductively textured finish. This does however need better depth so at least some patience is recommended. (90-92)/2029+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots - more due December
From a tiny 0.10ha east facing holding near the top of the hill with a cooler east-facing exposure.
(from a tiny .10 ha parcel near the top of the slope). More obvious though not invasive wood is present on the ripe and more floral-suffused aromas of passion fruit, white orchard fruit and a hint of quinine. Here too there is fine density and volume to the very rich, even plush, medium-bodied flavors that also conclude in a balanced and long if not quite as complex finale. Even so, more depth should reasonably develop if given a chance. (90-93)/2030+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir - more due December
From a tiny 0.50ha plot of vines planted in 1998 with a south-east exposure located near the top of the hill of Grand cru’s.
(from a .50 ha parcel of vines on the ‘sunny’ side that were replanted in 1998; vinified in stainless but with the élevage in older wood). A deft application of wood sets off ripe but not really exotic aromas of white peach, acacia, citrus zest and a touch of algae. There is both fine intensity and a lovely texture to the mineral-driven medium weight flavors that deliver very good length on the balanced, refined and notably more complex finale. Lovely. (91-93)/2030+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur - more due December
From vines average age over 40 years old. Half of the holding of the estate has been re-planted in recent years so quantities of this wine are reduced recently.
A pungent nose of smoky reduction and wood toast is all that can be discerned at present. Otherwise, the rich, powerful and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors also possess plenty of sappy dry extract before concluding in a lemony, dry and moderately austere finale. This is a big and firmly structured wine that also needs to develop better depth. (90-93)/2031+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - very limited
From a single 2.9ha plot of vines that goes from the very bottom of the slope to close to the top of the vineyard. This remarkable holding is arguably the most representative Les Clos from the whole vineyard. Vines here are aged mostly from 45-75 years of age. The wine is aged about 1/3rd in barrel (about 10% new) and 2/3rds in stainless steel tanks.
(from a huge, and single, 2.9 ha parcel). Ripe, elegant and relatively cool aromas include those of acacia, oyster shell, iodine and a moderate dollop of wood that can also be found on the intense big-bodied flavors that exude evident minerality on the impressively long finale where the only nit is a touch of warmth. I would add that the wood influence is sufficient such that there is a borderline tannic quality to the finish. Patience strongly advised. (91-94)/2033+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2023 Chablis Grand Cru Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos - more due December
A tiny 0.41 ha strip of vines located at the bottom of Grand Cru Les Clos.
(from a .41 ha parcel located at the bottom of the hill in Les Clos). A slightly leesy character detracts mildly from the aromas of spicy citrus, iodine and shellfish that are also trimmed in moderate wood influence. There is more size, weight and volume to the large-scaled flavors that brim with sappy dry extract as well as evident minerality that adds a sense of lift to the impressively long finish where a similar touch of warmth emerges. This could use better depth but the underlying material should allow more to develop in time. (91-94)/2031+ Burghound.com , October 2024

2021 vintage - SOLD OUT

”Huge damage in every place in Chablis (and in every vineyard in France…). We had rain and -6°c after, the day after some snow….the worst script you could imagine. The result for us: we saved so far, our Les Clos, the Clos des Hospices and 1.5ha of Vaillon with our frost protection. The rest is burn at 70-90%..... :=((( What we saved, represent 1/3 of our vineyard, but it’s very hard to go in other vineyards to see the disaster…. Which is unique is that every Village in the appellation is damaged. Normally you have always some place which survive, but not this time. But in 2021, the Petit Chablis is probably the most affected by the frost. The plot over Valmur is almost completely burn, the one over Vaudésir probably 50% damaged….” Fabien Moreau

2021 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
From a single 2.9ha plot of vines that goes from the very bottom of the slope to close to the top of the vineyard. This remarkable holding is arguably the most representative Les Clos from the whole vineyard. Vines here are aged mostly from 45-75 years of age. The wine is aged about 1/3rd in barrel (about 10% new) and 2/3rds in stainless steel tanks.
”(from a huge 2.9 ha parcel). Here too the nose is presently dominated by reduction and wood toast. More interesting are the sleek, intense and ultra-fresh middleweight plus flavors that possess excellent size, richness and power where the latter suffuses the sappy, muscular and saliva-inducing, moderately dry and compact finale. This very promising effort is going to need at least a decade to realize its full potential. Impressive. (92-95)/2031+” Burghound.com , October 2022