JEAN-CLAUDE ET ROMAIN BESSIN
Chablis
Jean-Claude Bessin and his wife, Evelyne, took the reins of Evelyne’s family vineyards in 1992 and began transforming the estate. Although the family had been growing grapes in Chablis since the 19th century, the wines were, until then, produced at a co-operative.
Jean-Claude Bessin’s cellar lies underneath the church in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, north of the town of Chablis. From his 12 hectares, Bessin produces two Chablis village, four Chablis 1er Cru, including a special cuvée of Fourchaume labeled La Pièce au Comte, and a thought-after Valmur Grand Cru.
Today, Romain, Jean-Claude and Evelyne’s son, works alongside his father in the vineyards and in the cellar.
In the Vineyard
In the vineyard, Jean-Claude farms organically and aims to limit the yield of his old vines to 45-50 hl/ha.
When the harvest comes, the grapes are manually picked and thoroughly sorted. Harvest usually lasts no longer than 10 days to make sure all grapes are harvested at their optimal maturity.
In the Cellar
Evolution in recent years has been towards more natural winemaking.
Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes are pressed, slowly and gently. The must is then racked into thermo-regulated tanks for the fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wines are aged on fine lees, for 15 to 18 months, with a maximum of 10% new oak. If necessary, light fining and filtration are performed before bottling.
“This estate really deserves to be talked about more, as it belongs among Chablis’s top half-dozen domaines”
Chablis Grand Cru
Valmur
Bessin has the second-largest holding of grand cru Valmur with 2.08 hectares.
Chablis 1er Cru
Fourchaume
On the same slope as La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, the vineyard of Fourchaume is facing southwest. This cuvée comes from 1.15 hectares of vines that were planted from 1959 to 1971.
Chablis 1er Cru
Fourchaume La Pièce au Comte
This cuvée is only produced in generous vintages and is made from a specific parcel within the Fourchaume vineyard.
Chablis 1er Cru
Montmains
This Chablis 1er Cru Montmains comes from a 1.28-hectare plot. Facing southeast and on the upper slope, this plot was planted in 1968 and 1974 on Kimmeridgian limestone and marl soil.
Chablis 1er Cru
Forêt
Bessin started bottling this 1er Cru separately from the Montmains 1er Cru in 2006.
Chablis Village
Vieilles Vignes
Made from 1.20 hectares of 45-65 years old vines planted on fine Portlandian soil and Kimmeridgian marl.
Chablis Village
For the same plot as the Chablis Village Vieilles Vignes, this cuvée comes from younger vines that are between 12 and 44 years old.
