95+ points, Wine Advocate
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95 points, Decanter
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94 points, Burghound
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93-95 points, Jasper Morris
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93 points, Vinous
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93 points, Burghound
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About the Wine
A sub-climat of Montmains, this premier cru on the left bank of the river Serein with Kimmeridgian soils overlain by stones and clay. It's a cooler site with a southern and eastern exposure with a steep slope that softens as it nears the bottom.
Critic Reviews
95 points, Decanter
95+ points, Wine Advocate
94 points, Burghound
93 points, Burghound
93-95 points, Jasper Morris
93 points, Vinous
“Intriguing nose of lime and lemon zest, a hint of honey, then mineral, salty characters on the palate. A magnificent premier cru, this has the acidity and structure to age many years but is very fine already. The overall impression here is of a Chablis with power, density and which compares to a grand cru. Drinking Window 2023 - 2030.”
95+ points, Wine Advocate
“A striking young wine, Dauvissat’s brilliant 2020 Chablis 1er Cru La Forest unfurls in the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, orange oil, pear, oyster shell, freshly baked bread, and smoke, framed by a deft touch of reduction. Medium to full-bodied, deep, and multidimensional, it’s taut and concentrated, with racy acids, chalky structuring, and a long, searingly mineral finish. Recent years have delivered so many brilliant renditions of La Forest that it’s hard to pick a favorite between the likes of 2008, 2014, 2017, and 2019, but 2020 is undoubtedly a worthy entrant into the competition, and it’s worth a special effort to seek out.”
94 points, Burghound
“A highly complex nose combines notes of citrus rind, sea breeze, petrol and shellfish. There is excellent size, weight and intensity to the more robust and muscular if less refined flavors that brim with dry extract before terminating in a mineral-driven and bone-dry but not really austere finale. I very much like the balance, and this should also age gracefully yet it’s not so structured that it couldn’t be approached after 5-ish years if desired.”
93 points, Burghound
“highly complex nose combines notes of green apple, citrus rind, sea breeze, petrol, and shellfish. There is an excellent size, weight, and intensity to the more robust and muscular, if less refined, flavors that brim with dry extract before terminating in a mineral-driven and bone-dry but not really austere finale. I very much like the balance, and this should also age gracefully, yet it’s not so structured that it couldn’t be approached after 5-ish years if desired.”
93-95 points, Jasper Morris
“Pale primrose, the nose takes some teasing out, but all is there. Then the wine starts to build, some licorice, lots of stones, succulence without sucrosity, complete with lovely acidity. Quite backward, but all is there. 12.5% alcohol, and a long-term winner.”
93 points, Vinous
“The 2020 Chablis Fôrets 1er Cru is backward on the nose, the most stubborn and recalcitrant of Dauvissat’s Premier Crus despite rigorous coaxing. The powerful palate is linear, like the Montée de Tonnerre, but displays a little more puissance toward the finish. But, maybe, the Montée has more charm. We will see.”
About The Winery
Domaine Vincent Dauvissat is arguably the finest Domaine in Chablis. Established in the 1970s by Robert Dauvissat, the Domaine has passed down from father to son for three generations. Robert's son René is to thank for establishing the reputation of the Domaine. Vincent began working with his father, René, in the 1970s and today runs the Domaine. A loyal following among France's most esteemed restaurateurs sharply limits the availability of Dauvissat wines for export. Despite limited quantities, the wines have attracted the praise and attention of critics worldwide.
