2024 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Beauregard 1er Cru Chablis | 94 Points

🏆 94 Points | One of Chablis' Coolest Premier Crus – From the Extraordinary Domaine Moreau-Naudet!

94 Points – La Revue du Vin de France | 92 Points – Decanter

A Tiny, High-Altitude Premier Cru from the Family Behind Some of Chablis' Most Exciting Wines!

2024 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Premier Cru Beauregard Chablis

Chablis, Burgundy, France

NEW RELEASE | RRP $180

What happens when one of Chablis' most exciting domaines takes fruit from a tiny, steep, limestone-rich vineyard nearly 300 metres above sea level and makes a Premier Cru Chardonnay with extraordinary purity and precision?

You get one hell of a Chablis!

And that's exactly what we have here.

2024 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Premier Cru Beauregard.

This is one seriously exciting white Burgundy.

A Chardonnay with beautiful white flowers, grapefruit, fresh apple, lime zest and a wonderfully energetic palate.

But what makes this wine particularly fascinating isn't simply its quality.

It's the story of the vineyard.

The story of the family.

And the extraordinary winemaking philosophy that has made Domaine Moreau-Naudet one of the most talked-about names among serious Chablis lovers.

And look at the reviews!

94 POINTS – LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE!

92 POINTS – DECANTER!

For a producer with such a remarkable reputation, this is a wine that deserves serious attention.

Domaine Moreau-Naudet – One of Chablis' Great Modern Stories

Domaine Moreau-Naudet has become one of the most compelling estates in Chablis.

But the story behind its rise is quite extraordinary.

The domaine's modern name dates to 1950, following the marriage of Marie Naudet and René Moreau.

The family had been growing grapes in the region for generations.

But the transformation of the estate into one of Chablis' most respected producers came through the work of Stéphane Moreau.

Stéphane took control of the family domaine in the early 1990s.

And he had a very different vision of what Chablis could be.

At a time when many producers were pursuing efficiency and earlier bottling, Stéphane was fascinated by the traditional methods used by Burgundy's greatest growers.

He wanted wines with depth.

Texture.

Complexity.

And extraordinary vineyard expression.

His inspirations included some remarkable names.

Vincent Dauvissat.

Didier Dagueneau.

Nadi Foucault of Clos Rougeard.

That's a fascinating group of winemakers.

And it tells you something about Stéphane's ambitions.

He wasn't simply trying to make conventional Chablis.

He wanted wines with individuality, structure and the ability to age.

And over time, he built an extraordinary reputation.

The Dauvissat Connection – Something Most People Wouldn't Know

Here's one of the most interesting details about Domaine Moreau-Naudet.

Stéphane Moreau was deeply influenced by Vincent Dauvissat, one of the most celebrated producers in Chablis.

Dauvissat is famous for producing some of the region's most complex, mineral and ageworthy wines.

And Stéphane admired that philosophy.

But he also drew inspiration from Didier Dagueneau, whose Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs demonstrated how extraordinary vineyard work and meticulous winemaking could create wines of remarkable intensity.

From these influences, Stéphane developed his own approach.

Lower yields.

Careful hand harvesting.

Thoughtful fermentation.

Extended maturation.

And wines that were given the time they needed to develop.

It was an approach that helped distinguish Moreau-Naudet from many other Chablis producers.

And today, those principles remain central to the estate.

Virginie Moreau – Continuing an Extraordinary Legacy

In 2016, tragedy struck the domaine.

Stéphane Moreau died unexpectedly at just 47 years of age.

He left behind an extraordinary vineyard estate and a winemaking philosophy that had taken decades to develop.

His wife, Virginie Moreau, faced an enormous challenge.

But rather than abandoning Stéphane's vision, she continued his work.

Supported by the domaine's experienced team, including long-serving assistant Coco, Virginie maintained the commitment to exceptional vineyard work and patient winemaking.

And the results have been remarkable.

Today, Domaine Moreau-Naudet is recognised among the finest producers in Chablis.

The estate has earned two stars in La Revue du Vin de France, placing it in exceptionally distinguished company.

And the wines continue to attract serious attention from Burgundy collectors around the world.

Beauregard – One of the Coolest Premier Cru Vineyards in Chablis

Here's where this particular wine becomes especially fascinating.

Premier Cru Beauregard is located at the southwestern end of Chablis' Left Bank.

And it is a remarkable vineyard.

The site rises to approximately 300 metres above sea level.

It's among the highest Premier Cru locations in the appellation.

And it's also one of the steepest.

Some sections have gradients approaching 40%.

That's extraordinarily steep.

The vineyard has a predominantly southern exposure, but its altitude and position create relatively cool growing conditions.

And that's important.

Because the finest Chablis needs more than ripe fruit.

It needs acidity.

Freshness.

Tension.

And a sense of mineral precision.

Beauregard has the potential to deliver all of those qualities.

Shallow Clay and Limestone Marl – The Geology Behind the Wine

The soils at Beauregard are particularly interesting.

The steep slope means that the clay-rich topsoil is relatively shallow.

Beneath it lies the limestone-rich marl associated with the great vineyards of Chablis.

That geology influences drainage, water availability and vine growth.

And when combined with the vineyard's altitude and cooler conditions, it creates a distinctive environment for Chardonnay.

It's worth remembering that mineral flavours in wine aren't simply rocks being transferred into grapes.

But the physical properties of soils can influence how vines grow and how fruit ripens.

And Beauregard is capable of producing Chardonnay with remarkable freshness, citrus definition and structural tension.

This is Chablis with a genuine sense of place.

A Vineyard Replanted Using Stéphane Moreau's Favourite Vines

Here's another detail I absolutely love.

The Moreau family had owned its Beauregard parcel for decades.

But in 2001, the vineyard was replanted using massal-selection material taken from some of Stéphane Moreau's most treasured vines.

Massal selection is different from simply buying a uniform commercial clone.

It involves selecting propagation material from a population of established vines, preserving genetic diversity within the vineyard.

And that's a fascinating approach.

It can help maintain the individuality and complexity of a vineyard over time.

But here's the remarkable part.

Virginie didn't rush to bottle Beauregard as a dedicated Premier Cru.

She waited until the replanted vines had reached sufficient maturity to produce fruit with the concentration and intensity she wanted.

Think about that.

A Premier Cru vineyard.

A celebrated Chablis domaine.

And the patience to wait more than two decades before fully expressing its potential under a dedicated label.

That's serious commitment to quality.

The 2024 Vintage – A Wonderful Expression of Cool-Climate Chablis

The 2024 Burgundy vintage presented growers with a challenging season.

Cool conditions, rainfall and disease pressure demanded careful vineyard work.

Yields were reduced in many parts of the region.

But the best producers were able to make wines with wonderful freshness and classical proportions.

And that's particularly interesting for Beauregard.

Because this is already one of Chablis' cooler Premier Cru sites.

The wine's naturally vibrant character is especially compelling in a vintage that favours freshness and precision.

The result is a Chardonnay with beautiful energy, floral lift and a wonderfully incisive palate.

The Winemaking – No New Oak, Just Pure Chablis Character

Here's something that makes the 2024 Beauregard particularly interesting.

The wine was vinified entirely in tank.

That's a departure from the broader Moreau-Naudet philosophy of combining stainless steel and mature oak for many of the estate's wines.

But it makes perfect sense for Beauregard.

This is a vineyard with naturally vibrant acidity and distinctive floral and citrus character.

And Virginie has chosen to allow those qualities to shine.

Without the flavour contribution of new oak, the wine's fruit purity and mineral structure remain at the forefront.

The emphasis is on:

White flowers.

Fresh citrus.

Fine texture.

Beautiful acidity.

And a wonderfully savoury finish.

It's a fascinating example of matching winemaking to the individual personality of a vineyard.

Tasting Notes – White Flowers, Grapefruit and Extraordinary Freshness

The 2024 Moreau-Naudet Beauregard is a beautifully energetic Chablis.

The aromatics reveal:

• Delicate white flowers

• Fresh grapefruit zest

• Green apple

• Nashi pear

• Lime peel

• Subtle stone fruit

• Fine savoury complexity

• A delicate mineral character

The palate is wonderfully precise.

There's beautiful citrus freshness, with grapefruit and lime providing energy and definition.

Green apple and nashi pear contribute delicate fruit concentration.

The texture is fine and beautifully controlled.

But what really makes this wine stand out is its acidity.

Bright. Racy. Incisive. Wonderfully refreshing.

A subtle savoury character adds complexity.

And the finish is clean, persistent and mouth-watering.

White flowers. Grapefruit. Green apple. Nashi pear. Lime zest. Fine mineral tension.

This is classic, beautifully refined Chablis.

94 Points – La Revue du Vin de France

The 2024 Beauregard has received an outstanding:

94 POINTS – LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE!

That's a particularly meaningful endorsement.

La Revue du Vin de France is one of France's most influential wine publications.

And the domaine itself has earned a coveted two-star classification from the magazine.

For a relatively recent addition to the estate's Premier Cru range, this is a wonderful result.

92 Points – Decanter

Charles Curtis MW awarded the wine:

92 POINTS – DECANTER!

His review highlights a somewhat different side of the wine.

Ripe mirabelle plum.

Peach.

Apricot.

And a silky, generous fruit texture.

That's fascinating because it demonstrates that Beauregard isn't simply about sharp acidity and citrus.

There's also lovely fruit concentration and generosity.

The combination of freshness and ripe orchard fruit makes this a particularly interesting Premier Cru.

Decanter suggests a drinking window of 2028–2038.

A Fascinating Comparison with Dauvissat and Raveneau

One of the reasons Moreau-Naudet has become so exciting is the domaine's commitment to the sort of thoughtful vineyard work and restrained winemaking associated with Chablis' greatest producers.

Dauvissat and Raveneau are among the region's most celebrated names.

Their wines can be extraordinarily expensive and difficult to find.

Moreau-Naudet has developed its own distinctive identity, but shares a commitment to vineyard expression, careful farming and wines capable of developing complexity with age.

The Beauregard is particularly fascinating because of its cooler, high-altitude character.

It's not necessarily the richest wine in the domaine's collection.

Instead, its appeal lies in purity, floral complexity, freshness and tension.

And for lovers of classical Chablis, those are wonderful qualities.

Cellaring Potential

This is a Chardonnay with excellent potential for further development.

Decanter suggests:

2028–2038.

That's a compelling drinking window for a Premier Cru Chablis.

I'd be tempted to open a bottle earlier to enjoy its youthful citrus energy.

But I'd also put a few away.

As the wine develops, expect greater savoury complexity, deeper orchard fruit character and more integrated texture.

Serve lightly chilled rather than ice-cold.

And allow the wine time to open in the glass.

Food Pairings

This is an absolutely magnificent food wine.

I'd recommend:

• Freshly shucked oysters

• King George whiting

• Grilled scallops

• Southern rock lobster

• Grilled snapper

• Roast chicken with lemon and thyme

• Goat's cheese

• Comté

Personally, I'd love this with freshly shucked oysters or delicate grilled scallops.

The wine's citrus freshness and fine mineral tension would be sensational.

Why We Love It at Liquid Vibe

Because this is everything that makes great Chablis so exciting.

A remarkable family estate.

A fascinating winemaking legacy.

A Premier Cru vineyard perched nearly 300 metres above sea level.

Steep slopes.

Shallow clay and limestone marl.

Vines replanted using material from Stéphane Moreau's favourite selections.

Beautifully restrained winemaking.

And outstanding critical recognition.

Look at what you're getting.

2024 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Premier Cru Beauregard Chablis

Chablis, Burgundy, France

Premier Cru Vineyard

Approximately 300 Metres Above Sea Level

Vines Replanted in 2001

Massal Selection from Stéphane Moreau's Treasured Vines

Steep Limestone-Rich Slopes

Winemaker – Virginie Moreau

Entirely Tank-Vinified

94 Points – La Revue du Vin de France

92 Points – Decanter

RRP $180

This is serious white Burgundy.

A wine with history, personality and wonderful precision.

And from a domaine that has become one of the most compelling names in modern Chablis.

2024 DOMAINE MOREAU-NAUDET PREMIER CRU BEAUREGARD CHABLIS

CHABLIS, BURGUNDY, FRANCE

94 POINTS – LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE!

92 POINTS – DECANTER!

NEW RELEASE | RRP $180

ONE OF CHABLIS' HIGHEST AND COOLEST PREMIER CRU VINEYARDS!

WHITE FLOWERS. GRAPEFRUIT. GREEN APPLE. NASHI PEAR. LIME ZEST. BEAUTIFUL MINERAL PRECISION.

FROM ONE OF CHABLIS' MOST EXCITING DOMAINES – AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPRESSION OF PREMIER CRU CHARDONNAY!