2022 La Chablisienne Emotions Minerales Saint-Bris 750 ml

A tiny dot in a sea of Chardonnay, the Saint-Bris appellation consists of just 325 acres planted to Sauvignon Blanc. Thanks to its location in Burgundy, just south of Chablis, it’s blessed with prime limestone soils. 

The size and location mean that Saint-Bris is completely unknown to most people, even wine aficionados, which is a shame. Because Saint-Bris is home to some of the most stunning (and stunningly affordable) Sauvignon Blanc you’ll find in France. But very few of these wines make it to US soil, and of that select group, La Chablisienne’s stands out for its exceptional quality. 

Founded in 1923, La Chablisienne is one of the top cooperatives in all of France, one that Burgundy expert Jasper Morris MW called “one of the great successes of the wine cooperative movement.” They are one of only a couple dozen producers bottling Saint-Bris, and one of only a handful bringing those wines to the United States.

It’s no wonder that Demeine Estates, known for Heitz Cellar, and importers of Château Lascombes and Domaine de Montille, made it a priority to snap up exclusive rights to import La Chablisienne to the US. Demeine’s CEO, Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, knows exceptional quality when he tastes it.

For this bottling, La Chablisienne sources grapes from member-growers who farm on Portlandian and Kimmeridgian limestone soils. They harvest their Sauvignon Blanc at perfect ripeness before pressing in state-of-the-art presses, and then the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve brightness. The result is a joyful wine that deserves a spot in every fridge through the warmer months and well into the fall