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Domaine Moreau-Naudet - Virginie Moreau's Exceptional 2023s

by Hugh French | Sep 30, 2025

"This is one of Chablis’s finest estates…Virginie Moreau presides over this leading domaine, where the order of the day is organic (but not certified) farming; harvesting ripe but clean fruit, cropped at modest yields; and extended maturation on the lees."
William Kelley, THE WINE ADVOCATE

The 2023 Moreau-Naudet wines are exceptional. Virginie Moreau compares this vintage to the highly regarded 2020 for its ripeness. However, she believes 2023 is more balanced and typical, featuring more energy and a mineral character, especially in the Vaillons and Forêt 1er Crus. Overall, her 2023 wines are rich and full of fruit character, with a surprisingly juicy structure that suggests they will age well. Instead of transferring the wines off the lees early, as many Chablis producers do, Moreau kept them on the lees for 18 to 20 months, resulting in low sulphur levels at bottling.

The estate has a history spanning five generations, but it only began selling its wines in 1991. Today, Virginie manages the 25-hectare domaine, focusing on organic farming practices, although it is not certified. She picks ripe, clean grapes at modest yields and usually allows for 18 months of aging on the lees in primarily used oak barrels and stainless steel. This hands-off winemaking, especially for Montmains and Valmur, aims to keep the classic Chablis characteristics.

Moreau-Naudet produces some of the best wines in Chablis, consistently offering concentrated and textural expressions of the region. Their range of premier cru bottlings, especially the Forêts, Montée de Tonnerre, and Vaillons, showcases the estate's strengths, while their only grand cru, Valmur, is also very worthy of attention.

The special offer pricing below is valid for 7 days from the date of publication only.

2023 Chablis

Usually $107

NOW $99

88-90 Points

"Derived from three different locations, Moreau-Naudet’s 2023 Chablis Village opens in the glass to reveal aromas of grapefruit zest, acacia and flint. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, tangy and textural, concluding with a precise, delicately sapid finish."

Kristaps Karklins, THE WINE ADVOCATE

2023 Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillons'

Usually $167

NOW $154

92-94 Points

"Opening from the glass with an expressive bouquet of tangerine zest, white flowers, pear and oyster shell, it’s followed by a medium to full-bodied palate with ample chalky extract and a saline finish. It’s broader than Beauregard but simultaneously racier than Montmains."

Kristaps Karklins, THE WINE ADVOCATE

2023 Chablis 1er Cru 'Forets'

Usually $167

NOW $154

92-94 Points

"Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of beeswax, orange zest and pear, mingling with oyster shell, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and tense, with vibrant acidity and excellent cut. It concludes with a pure, chalky finish. Virginie Moreau admits that in recent years she has given a slight preference to Forêts over the expressiveness of Vaillons. Readers will be able to make their own conclusions, as both wines come warmly recommended."

Kristaps Karklins, THE WINE ADVOCATE

2023 Chablis 1er Cru 'Montee de Tonnerre'

Usually $192

NOW $179

92-94 Points

"With 12.5% alcohol, Moreau-Naudet’s 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is another success this year, soaring from the glass with a bouquet of beeswax, honeysuckle and crisp orchard fruit. Matured in a combination of old wood (30%) and tank, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated yet with good tension and structured around racy acids, with ample chalky extract and a long, sapid finish. It derives from a parcel just next to Raveneau’s."

Kristaps Karklins, THE WINE ADVOCATE

2023 Chablis Grand Cru 'Valmur'

Usually $335

NOW $309

93-94 Points

"Derived from 60-year-old vines growing on a rather steep slope and vinified entirely in stainless steel, the 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is flamboyant, soaring from the glass with a deep bouquet of beeswax, grapefruit zest and pear. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and layered, with more mid-palate amplitude than any other wine in the range, supported by vibrant acidity and concluding with a long, saline finish. It comes from a parcel just next to Raveneau’s, and like that example, it rewards patience."

Kristaps Karklins, THE WINE ADVOCATE