Wines Chablis Benedictus de Vauroux - Réserve Sacrée - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Benedictus de Vauroux’s 2020 Cuvée Réserve Sacrée is a noteworthy red wine intriguingly hailing from Chablis, an area better known worldwide for its white wines – particularly its crisp, minerally expressions of Chardonnay. While Chablis’ terroir is most famously expressed through its whites, the region also produces a small amount of red, typically using Pinot Noir. This particular cuvée is likely crafted exclusively from Pinot Noir, given the Burgundian tradition, and vinified in a style that highlights the freshness, finesse, and purity that Burgundian reds are renowned for. The temperate 2020 vintage provided conditions ripe for wines with vibrant fruit, clarity, and a beautiful balance of acidity and supple tannins.

The Chablis region, nestled in the northernmost part of Burgundy, is strongly influenced by a continental climate with cold winters and relatively warm summers. The area’s hallmark Kimmeridgian limestone soils, mixed with fossilized oyster shells, are celebrated for imparting a unique mineral streak even in reds, and lend a lively tension and brightness to the wine. While the appellation’s legacy is centered on white wine, its Pinot Noir reds tend to be elegant, aromatic, and delicately structured, reflecting both the cool northern latitude and the complex soils.

When it comes to food pairings, this Chablis red is quite versatile. Its lively acidity and light-to-medium body make it a perfect companion to roasted poultry, such as duck breast or herb-crusted chicken, and it’s well-suited to Burgundian classics like coq au vin (made with red wine, of course). For regional flair, serve alongside dishes featuring Burgundy’s famous mushrooms, or with rabbit in a mustard sauce. It will also complement a charcuterie platter or soft cheeses like Brie de Meaux.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine slightly cool, between 14 and 16°C, to enhance its red fruit aromatics, freshness, and delicate structure. Decanting for twenty to thirty minutes will help open up its bouquet, especially if enjoyed in the first few years after bottling.