At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Bourgogne
- Village
- Beine
- Appellations
- Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy
- Signature wine
- Chablis By Passy le Clou
- Defining feature
- Independent vinification of each vineyard plot
The Producer
Every vineyard plot is vinified independently at Domaine Passy le Clou. The domaine makes Chablis in the village of Beine, with just over 32 hectares and a winemaking team of seven people. Each plot remains separate in the cellar to showcase its individual expression of terroir.
The range covers Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy. Stainless steel keeps the production focused on the wines' appellation and plot distinctions.
Place
Domaine Passy le Clou is based in Beine, with vineyards scattered around the village. Ninety five percent of the vines are planted in the Petit Chablis and Chablis appellations, with additional holdings in Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy.
The range therefore moves through three Chablis levels. Petit Chablis and Chablis provide the broadest appellation addresses, while the 1er Cru designation identifies Beauroy as a named higher vineyard tier within Chablis.
Soil And Site
The vines average 40 years old and include a small three hectare plot planted in stony clay and limestone soils. Tilling replaces herbicides and improves aeration and water conservation. Natural hedges promote biodiversity, while natural fertilizers and cover crops are used in the vineyard.
Story
The father of Gérard and Christian Patrice founded the domaine in 1950. Today, the fifth generation is at the helm, represented by Kevin and Marine Jandard. In 2019, the domaine obtained Haute Valeur Environnementale certification.
Vineyards And Cellar
The cellar follows the vineyard division closely. Fermentation and maturation are handled by plot, allowing each parcel to be vinified independently.
Petit Chablis ferments at controlled temperature for approximately 10 days, undergoes malolactic fermentation, and matures on fine lees for 12 months before bottling. Fine lees are the settled yeast cells left after fermentation. All the wines receive 12 to 18 months of elevage before bottling.
Chablis Classic and Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy have their vinification and maturation entirely in stainless steel barrels.
Wines
The range begins with Petit Chablis, continues through Chablis Classic, and reaches Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy. The appellation levels separate the bottles by vineyard status, while the cellar keeps the wines in stainless steel for the Classic and Beauroy bottlings.
Chablis has a fresh palate and a fruity finish. Beauroy carries the 1er Cru designation, giving the range a named vineyard tier alongside the broader Petit Chablis and Chablis appellations.
In The Glass
The 2020 Chablis shows flat peach, crunchy nectarine and fresh quince, with fine notes of verbena and subtle honeysuckle in the aromatics. The palate is fruity and juicy, with minerality and acidity carrying through the wine.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Chablis By Passy le Clou. It is the domaine's Chablis appellation bottle, placed between Petit Chablis and Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy in the range. The label gives the producer name, the Chablis appellation and the bottle's vintage in one address before the wines move to the lower or named premier cru levels.
Anecdote
In 2017, Marine Descombe purchased a small estate in the village of Beine. Marine is now Marine Jandard, and she leads the domaine with Kevin Jandard. Their additional vineyard operations are in Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley. The Chablis holdings comprise 21 plots scattered around Beine, across Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy. The current range carries three appellation levels under one domaine name.
Final Word
Domaine Passy le Clou works stony clay and limestone soils, separate vineyard plots and stainless steel maturation across a range from Petit Chablis to Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy.