A Burghound Top Value Premier Cru Chablis and a Grand Cru Chablis - Sebastien Dampt

Sebastien Dampt has become one of our core producers and it is very easy to see why.Whenever I

taste Dampt with anybody they are just blown away by them. The quality price ratio is perhaps the best in Chablis. Sebastien is still relatively young and is getting better every year (he learned from his father, one of my favorite producers, so he was quite good when he started).  Allen Meadows at Burghound is also a fan (we're big fans of the longtime leading American Burgundy critic).

The first wine is the 2013 Sebastien Dampt Chablis 1er Cru "Cote de Lechet", which can be had for as little as $25.99 on the 4-pack. It is on Burghound's 21 "Top Value" wines list for the issue. Burghound gave it 91 points and for pure point per bang for buck it does not get better than this.

2013 is a tricky vintage as those who picked on or before very early October did very well and retained acidity and nerve. Those who did not, due to very odd warm weather did not. Then on October 5th a huge rainstorm happened which exacerbated the warm weather and botrytis was a huge problem. Nobody likes dry white wines with botrytis. Sebastien picked on October 1st so the wines are terrific and nervy and some of the best values of the vintage.

Below is Allen's note.

A penetrating and perfumed nose displays scents of citrus and mineral reduction that is
very much in keeping with the citrusy and well-delineated medium-bodied flavors that possess good richness but also fine verve on the slightly austere, mineral-inflected and persistent finish. This is presently very dry though I suspect that it will become less so with a few years of bottle age. This too is worth considering. 91 2017+
 
Next up is one of the best white burgundies Fass Selection sells. It is 2013 Maison Dampt Chablis "Les Clos", which can be had for as little as $52.99 on the 3-pack. You just don't see Les Clos much at all for $53 a bottle (one store has the 2011 for $83! - we buy direct so we can sell it for much cheaper). It is a rich, powerful Les Clos with killer freshness and purity. Loads of pear, apple and melon fruit that attacks the palate in layers.  As typical as Les Clos can be this is a full bodied mineral-driven wine with a crescendo of a finish that is balanced and long. I mean long. For point people the 2012 got 93 pts from Burghound. I think the 2013 is in the same league or better.  The 2013 is a stunner but needs rest as the 11 and 12 did. The '11 is the one to drink now while you sit on the 12 and 13. The wood in this wine always needs a year to integrate but man does it integrate.  You don't know there is wood at all after a year in bottle.  It is called Maison Dampt because this is from purchased fruit.

2013 Sebastien Dampt Chablis 1er Cru "Cote de Lechet" -  $27.99 ($103.96 4-pack)

2013 Sebastien Dampt Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - $55.99 - 

($158.97 3-pack)

Mix and Match on 4 bottles for deepest deal