Jean-Claude’s family have been producing wine since the 1800’s. The current Bessin domaine began in 1989 when Jean-Claude and his wife Evelyne took over the family estate and vineyards. The vineyards were re-worked and the estate renovated. The wines were sold in bulk up until 1992 when the rejuvenation was complete and Jean-Claude began making his own wines.
Jean-Claude manages 12 hectares of vineyards many of which are true old vines planted by previous generations, some over 80 years old. In fact his Chablis AC is even from old vines. Younger vines and lesser plots are still sold in bulk with only the best fruit retained for the Bessin label.
The vineyards are worked in a traditional fashion with an emphasis on care for the environment and organic management with no chemical biocides.
All grapes for the domaine are harvested by hand, whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented using some temperature control. 25% of his production is fermented in old oak barrels. All the wines undergo 100% malolactic and spend 6 to 8 months on lees. The total elevage is around 18 months making them quite late releases for the appellation.
Jean-Claude believes the raison d’être for Chablis is minerality and is obsessed with preserving the mineral expression of his old vines. So naturally his wines are incredibly pure, transparent expressions of their terroirs. The emphasis on finesse is not an excuse for lean wines, instead they have powerful fruit concentration thanks to old vines and restricted yields.
Jean-Claude Bessin is already regarded as one of Chablis’ finest producers and his wines are well on their way to cult status, yet his current pricing offers great value.
