Let’s get the verdict out of the way—the logic can wait. Louis Moreau has produced a terrific set of Chablis from the tiny 2024 harvest.
Moreau describes the vintage as “old school”, marking a return to the style that made Chablis famous: vibrant, racy acidity, moderate alcohol, and a lighter, more elegant frame. These are wines defined by citrus freshness and textbook typicity rather than power—Chablis rather than Chardonnay.
Hail, relentless disease pressure and a cool, reluctant summer combined to produce one of the smallest harvests Chablis has seen in decades. Few growers can remember a season that demanded greater vigilance or more difficult decisions.
“We’ve had complications, but nothing like this in the last 30 years,” Louis admitted. “We harvested very little and had to be extremely selective with what came into the winery… I think [the wines] are very Chablis.” They certainly are. These wines display all the tension, refreshment and stony drive one hopes for from entry-point Chablis.
Compared with the broader, more easy-going 2023s, the 2024s possess greater nerve, finer definition and a keener citrus edge. They lack the effortless generosity of the sun-soaked 2022s, but they never feel lean or austere, and they often exhibit greater poise and harmony than many 2021s.
A victory wrested from the jaws of defeat.
2024 Louis Moreau Petit Chablis
Screwcap. Sourced from four hectares of 25–28-year-old vines rooted in sandy Portlandian limestone soils on the Biene plateau, this Petit Chablis delivers knockout typicity for the level. Four months of lees ageing adds a gentle creaminess and texture while stainless steel fermentation preserves the wine’s purity and grapefuity freshness. It’s a classical, refreshing expression that pairs beautifully with everything you usually drink Chablis with!
“Larger scale – more obviously fresh too. Direct, chiselled, vibrant wine – beautiful intensity in the middle to finishing flavours. Simply beautiful PC – at least excellent!” Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
2024 Louis Moreau Chablis
Screwcap. The fruit is sourced primarily from vineyards around Beine, with the balance coming from the communes of Fleys and Chablis. The vines average 40–45 years of age and grow on classic Kimmeridgian clay soils mixed with sand. The wine is fermented and matured for 10 months in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and purity, before being bottled under screw cap. It’s fresh and vibrant, with aromas of green apple, lemon, and lime, followed by mouthwatering citrus flavour. Racy acidity and a refined chalky structure add to the wine’s Chablisien charisma.
“A calmer nose, but growing in attractive perfume. Chiselled again – super definition and freshness – these wines have super presence and detail. The finish widening but not losing its intensity. That’s a great villages.” Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report