Domaine Bessin-Tremblay

Overview

Domaine Bessin-Tremblay is based in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, a village just north of Chablis. Founded by Jean-Claude Bessin (now retired), the domaine is now run by his two sons, who maintain the classical, terroir-focused style established by their father. Gilman has followed the estate since being pointed toward it by Didier Séguier of Domaine William Fèvre nearly 20 years ago. The wines are clean, mineral, and classically styled — no tropical fruit, no over-ripe character.

Appellations

• Chablis (villages, premier crus Montmains, Fourchaume including old-vine “la Pièce au Comte,” and grand cru Valmur)

Key Wines

• Chablis “Valmur” (grand cru) — 95+ pts in 2023: “outstanding young wine”
• Chablis “Fourchaume” (premier cru) — 92+ pts in 2023
• Chablis “Montmains” (premier cru) — 92 pts in 2023

Style Notes

Classical Chablis — precise, mineral, no tropical notes. The 2023s tasted on Gilman’s January 2026 visit (2024 virtually wiped out by spring maladies) showed exceptional quality and were notably free of the slight tropical sheen affecting some 2023s from the region.

2024 Vintage Notes

Crop virtually wiped out by frost, hail, and mildew in 2024. Gilman tasted only 2023s on his visit.

My Tastings

(none yet)

Sources

• sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC Jan-Feb 2026 #121.pdf (pages 16–17)