Dominique Lucas is making perhaps the greatest Chasselas on the planet. Chasselas is a grape without much of a reputation — in the hands of less precise vignerons, it can make oily, unremarkable wines. But from Dominique’s winery, Les Vignes de Paradis, Chasselas is all about delicate texture and mineral rich dimensionality. These are show-stoppers to redefine the variety.

The story starts in Pommard. Dominique was born into a wine growing family and spent his early professional life working at the same négociant as his father and grandfather, but he never felt quite settled in Burgundy. He wanted to craft precise, natural wine without the weight of tradition inherent in Burgundy. So, he began looking for a new wine region to call home.

He befriended the iconic Dominique Belluard — who, perhaps more than any other grower, put Savoie on the modern map — and started to dig deeper into the diverse terroirs of this gorgeous alpine region. He was drawn to the unrestricted winemaking culture in Savoie and soon set up shop on the glacial moraine slopes in the tiny village of Douvaine.

Here, free to pursue his creative vision, he purchased and planted prime parcels and farmed his vines with organic and biodynamic principles. Hand harvesting, rigorous sorting, and long lees-aging in large neutral foudre and cement eggs, he coaxes out a freshness, clarity, and textural cut that will turn Chasselas skeptics into Chasselas believers.

Today, we are excited to share the 2020 P’tit Coin du Paradis, a perfect introduction to Dominique’s singular style. It’s 100% Chasselas, gently whole-cluster pressed and aged on the full lees for 14 months in large neutral foudre; this is a wine of texture and tension with an almost tannic crunch to balance the natural richness. It offers up aromas of white tea and wild botanicals, leading to delicate white stone fruit flavors on the palate, and unstoppable length. It’s a natural pairing for peak summer produce.

Les Vignes de Paradis, Chasselas 'Un P'tit Coin de Paradis', 2020 $39.99