Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Vaucoupin 2024

Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Vaucoupin 2024 is a Chablis Premier Cru Chardonnay from the Vaucoupin vineyard, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The Vaucoupin climat, located on Kimmeridgian soils with southern exposure, produces wines that previous vintages have shown can earn strong critical recognition — the 2022 scored 93 points from Jasper Morris at Inside Burgundy.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Chablis Premier Cru, Burgundy, France  |  Vintage: 2024  |  Domaine: Long-Depaquit (Albert Bichot)

Production & Heritage

Domaine Long-Depaquit sits on the right bank of the Serein river and has been managed by Beaune-based négociant Albert Bichot since 1967. The Vaucoupin vineyard lies in the commune of Chichée, roughly three kilometers southeast of Chablis proper, on a steep slope with numerous Kimmeridgian limestone outcrops — a terroir the estate describes as remarkably similar to that of the Grand Crus. A state-of-the-art winery completed in 2014 brought greater precision to the winemaking, and in 2019 the domaine achieved the highest Level 3 Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, reflecting its shift toward low-intervention organic farming. Based on recent vintages, approximately 15% of the cuvée is fermented and aged in barrel, with the balance in stainless steel to preserve minerality and freshness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with restrained mineral intensity — gunflint and wet chalk — before revealing layers of white apricot and citrus blossom. A subtle smokiness emerges with air, adding complexity to the aromatic profile.

Taste: The entry is focused and bright, with concentrated candied fruit and ripe Bosc pear flavors giving way to a drier, chalkier mid-palate. Stone fruit and quince notes build through the center, underscored by a salty mineral thread that keeps the wine taut and precise. A light creaminess from partial barrel fermentation provides textural depth without masking the terroir expression.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering mineral salinity and a clean, chalky dryness. White apricot and subtle toast notes fade gradually, leaving a focused and refreshing close.

How to Drink Vaucoupin

This Premier Cru is best enjoyed slightly chilled, around 12–14°C, in a medium-sized white wine glass to concentrate its mineral aromatics. Neat and unadorned is the primary serve, though a brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help the wine open. For cocktail-adjacent serves: a White Burgundy Spritz (with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist) highlights the wine's citrus backbone; a classic Kir made with a small measure of crème de cassis plays against the wine's chalky acidity; and a chilled French 75 riff substituting this Chablis for Champagne brings stony depth to the cocktail's structure.

Best For

• Gifting a Burgundy enthusiast exploring Premier Cru Chablis terroirs
• Pairing at an intimate seafood dinner with friends
• Building a vertical collection of Vaucoupin across vintages
• Celebrating a milestone with a serious yet approachable white Burgundy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vaucoupin taste like? This Chablis Premier Cru is defined by concentrated mineral intensity, with flavors of white apricot, candied quince, and ripe pear layered over a chalky, saline palate. Partial barrel aging adds a subtle creaminess and hint of toast without overwhelming the stony Kimmeridgian character.

How does Vaucoupin compare to Domaine Long-Depaquit Montmains? Both are Premier Cru wines from the same domaine, but Vaucoupin's southern-facing steep slope and Grand Cru-like Kimmeridgian outcrops tend to produce a more powerful, concentrated wine, while Montmains typically offers a broader, more immediately approachable style. Vaucoupin generally rewards slightly more patience in the cellar.

Is Vaucoupin good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it is a textbook food-friendly Chablis Premier Cru that also stands confidently on its own. The interplay of mineral tension, fruit concentration, and subtle barrel influence makes it rewarding to drink without accompaniment.

Where is Vaucoupin made? The wine is produced at Domaine Long-Depaquit in the Chablis appellation of northern Burgundy, France. The Vaucoupin vineyard itself is located in the commune of Chichée on the right bank of the Serein river, about three kilometers southeast of the town of Chablis.

What foods pair well with Vaucoupin? Grilled Dover sole or turbot, where the wine's minerality mirrors the sea; oysters on the half shell, amplified by the chalky salinity; roasted chicken with tarragon cream sauce, which complements the subtle barrel richness; aged Comté cheese, whose nutty depth matches the wine's concentration; and seared scallops with brown butter, echoing the toast and stone fruit notes.

What sizes does Vaucoupin come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; other formats may vary by vintage and market availability.

Is Vaucoupin worth the price? This expression positions as a mid-tier Premier Cru Chablis — priced above village-level bottlings but below Grand Cru. Given the estate's Kimmeridgian terroir, HVE-certified viticulture, and consistent critical scores in the 90+ range for recent vintages, it represents strong value within the Premier Cru category.

Why Vaucoupin?

The Vaucoupin climat stands apart from many Chablis Premier Cru vineyards because its steep, south-facing slope and dense Kimmeridgian outcrops mirror the geological profile of the Grand Cru hillside — a distinction the estate itself highlights. Since the 2014 winery upgrade and the move toward HVE-certified low-intervention farming, the wines from Long-Depaquit have entered a steep qualitative upward curve, reflected in scores like the 93 points from Jasper Morris for the 2022 vintage. The judicious use of partial barrel fermentation — just 15% — adds textural complexity without masking the terroir's mineral signature. For anyone seeking a Chablis that bridges the intensity of Grand Cru with the accessibility of Premier Cru pricing, this is a compelling bottle.