Shell & Shale

Domaine Sebastien Dampt

Chablis Chardonnay 2025

Lyle Fass
9.3

Classic Chablis turned up several notches. The nose is pure and expressive, showing lemon, green apple, sea air, crushed stone, and a distinctly maritime character, but with more flesh and ripeness than expected. There is real fruit here, not just minerality, and it gives the wine an inviting generosity without sacrificing tension.

The palate is where 2025 announces itself. Huge energy, huge acidity, and remarkable concentration. This is electric Chablis. The fruit is bright and mouthwatering, but the acidity drives everything forward, carrying waves of limestone, oyster shell, and mineral intensity across an exceptionally long finish. There is real depth and persistence here, flirting with Premier Cru quality at times, while remaining unmistakably village Chablis in character. A textbook expression of the appellation, full of nerve, precision, and classic Dampt tension. One of the strongest examples of this bottling I can remember tasting.
— 24 days ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 2007

Quite light lemon yellow , quite difficult to judge the perlage in this glass but apparently fine and persistent, though on the palate the bubbles are quite discreet in nature . On the nose this is quite aromatic and rich with toasted lemon sherbet , sea shell , camomile and some buttered brioche . On the palate this also shows good richness and density , with more of the lemon peel , chalky , oyster shell character , with some buttered brioche notes on the finish . This is quite intense and long on the palate , though the perlage does subside quite a lot it is integrated. Fresh chalky acidity. Very much shows like a grand cru white Burgundy with bubbles. Still quite youthful and fresh but showing well , energetic but focused . From now and over the next 10 or so years . — 9 months ago

Tom, Jan and 6 others liked this

Ceritas

Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Lemon oil, salinity, oyster shell and orchard fruit. — 3 years ago

Severn, Ira and 1 other liked this

Daniel-Etienne Defaix

Côte de Léchet Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2007

Wet stone, oyster shell, lemon, spice, laser sharp and lively. — 3 years ago

Trius

Red Shale Four Mile Creek Cabernet Franc 2017

Has a roasted red color to it. The nose is velvety, nutty, and tart. On first sip, I get deep red fruit flavors with some smoke and pepper. Some mulling spices almost. I'm getting black currant, cherry, hint of honey. Has like a cedar taste on the back of it it. It's complex but smooth. Very little tannins. — 5 years ago

Miranda H
with Miranda
Miranda H

Miranda H

Rich dark mahogany colour. Smells of dark chocolate and coffee. Flavours of dark red fruits - blackberries. Subtle smoke flavour. Complex but without the pungy tannins.
8.7

Tolpuddle Vineyard

Tasmania Chardonnay 2014

Pale Lemon in colour. Nutty and yeasty aromas. Quite lean on the palate - some would say Chablisesque but no oyster shell. Strong citric acid - some leesy notes. Ideally I would like to see riper mid palate fruit. — 6 years ago

Scott, Iwan and 20 others liked this

Vincent Dauvissat

Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2012

Stunning. Dauvissat perfection. 2012 Clos is perfect tonight, with more fruit definition than Preuses as expected from the site. It’s textural, chiseled and powerful with Chablisen oyster shell minerality layered in a tidal wave of spiced orchard fruit and white flowers. It’s incredibly silky on the palate showing killer volume and density with racy citrusy acids and a sea spray-like salinity to round it out. When Dauvissat is on it’s hard to beat. And this is still young. — 4 months ago

Jan, Paul and 4 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 1996

Medium lemon , hints of gold , quite a healthy colour with fine pretty persistent bubbles still . This quite intense with candied lemon peel , brioche , oyster shells , touch of porcini . On the palate this is intense ,with good volume and vibrant acidity. Buttered brioche , oyster shell , candied orange and lemon peel . Really quite lovely and intense , long and toasted brioche , chalky finish . This is at peak now , but no rush from here over the next 5 perhaps 10 years . — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 13 others liked this

Gilbert Picq et Ses Fils

Chablis Chardonnay 2021

Outrageous village-level Chablis. Everything I could want and more. Cheese rind, oyster shell, green apple. Wow. — 3 years ago

Vino, Ira and 2 others liked this

Pattes Loup (Thomas Pico)

Vent d'Ange Chablis Chardonnay

Thomas Pico is one of my favorite Chablis producers. Chalk, oyster shell, under ripe green apple. Acid High. Delicious. — 4 years ago

Romain liked this

Shale Oak Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon

Lovely, one of the few Cabs that can be consumed alone. — 5 years ago

Imagery Estate Winery

Shell Creek Vineyard Petite Sirah 2015

Cherry 🍒 lollipop on first taste! Mellowed a bit after getting some air. Smooth tannins. — 6 years ago

Domaine Henri Perrusset

Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay 2017

Oyster shell, tarragon, unripe peach. Beautiful stuff, perfect for eating shellfish. — 6 years ago

Domaines Brocard

Sainte Céline Chablis Chardonnay 2024

Sainte Céline – Chablis – Chardonnay – 2024
Chablis AOC – Burgundy – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A value-driven Chablis crafted from estate parcels with an average vine age of around 30 years, emphasizing freshness, purity, and classic Chablis character. The 2024 vintage delivers exactly what Chablis lovers seek: clarity, tension, and terroir-driven precision without excess weight or oak influence.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright lemon zest, green apple, and white peach lead the nose, followed by subtle hints of oyster shell, crushed chalk, and wet stone. Clean citrus flavors dominate the palate, supported by saline minerality and a touch of fresh herbs.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, dry, and refreshing, with lively acidity and a lean, energetic frame. The texture is linear and precise, carrying freshness from entry through a snappy, mineral-driven finish.

Food Pairings
Oysters, clams, shrimp, ceviche, grilled white fish, sushi, goat cheese, or simple aperitif sipping. A natural partner for seafood-forward dishes.

Verdict
A reliable, classic Chablis that consistently delivers brightness, balance, and typicity. Zesty, clean, and effortlessly drinkable, this is Chablis that does the job beautifully and never disappoints.

Did You Know?
Chablis’ signature minerality comes from its Kimmeridgian limestone soils, rich in fossilized marine life, which give wines their unmistakable chalky and saline edge.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A go-to, no-nonsense Chablis: crisp, dry, zesty, and flavorful. Affordable, dependable, and always satisfying, exactly what Chablis should be.
— 6 months ago

Tom and Ted liked this

Frog's Leap

Shale and Stone Napa Valley Chardonnay 2020

Pale and lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with yeasty and toasty oak aromas, sat on lees for 6 months. On the palate flavors of crisp apple and peach with citrus zest and nutty oak notes, well balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, toasty oak and mineral character. Pair with a lane or red snapper with a tomato garlic compote topping. — 10 months ago

Andrew, Tom and 2 others liked this

Domaine Servin

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2017

enough gasoline, oyster shell, and cream to pull me back online for a memory storage toggle. salt for miles at the end. — 3 years ago

Jess Paley
with Jess

Forlorn Hope

Sogni della Speccia Shale Peak Vineyard Sangiovese Blend 2015

Drinking at its peak right now. Very good. — 4 years ago

Ely and Brent liked this

Field Recordings

Shell Creek Chenin Blanc

Perfect for drinking on a warm, sunny day — 5 years ago

Jean et Sébastien Dauvissat

Heritage Chablis Chardonnay 2018

Pale gold hue. Oyster shell nose. Crisp, crunchy, with green apples, and a clean mineral finish. Sadly, the bottle was gone in a flash, the sure sign of a good wine in our household! — 5 years ago

Lyle liked this
Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Fabian Dauvissat is a terrific winemaker.