William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Vaillons" Domaine 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" Domaine 2024 William Fèvre

Tasting

Colour
With beautiful clarity, this wine reveals a bright white hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet unveils pronounced notes of white fruits and flowers, accompanied by lovely freshness as well as iodised and mineral touches.

Palate
Generous and well-balanced, the palate offers remarkable length. It stands out through its structuring acidity, mineral complexity and delicious lemony notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with seafood, fresh oysters or grilled fish. It also goes very well with shellfish such as shrimp and langoustines, poultry with cream and mushrooms, asparagus with beurre blanc, or a fresh goat's cheese.

Service and storage

Enjoyable from its early years, this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" Domaine 2024 will evolve over time towards tertiary notes of menthol and oyster shell.

The mineral purity of a Premier Cru from Domaine William Fèvre

The estate

Founded in 1959 by the twelfth generation of a winegrowing family, Domaine William Fèvre is located in the heart of the village of Chablis, in Burgundy. Spanning approximately 70 hectares, the estate stands out for its mosaic of plots spread across the most prestigious terroirs. Led by Didier Séguier since 1998, the estate is recognised for its environmental commitment, having been certified organic in 2023. Since January 2024, the estate has been owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, who continue this philosophy centred on respecting biodiversity.

The vineyard

The climat Vaillons is a vast Premier Cru of Chablis located on the left bank of the Serein. The estate cultivates 3.65 hectares here, spread across twelve plots benefiting from a south-southeast exposure, favouring early ripening. The vines thrive on typical geological soils composed of Kimmeridgian limestone rich in small fossilised oysters, covered with sticky clay on the surface. The vineyard is managed according to organic farming principles, with very significant manual intervention and a deliberate limitation of mechanisation to preserve the ecosystem.

The vintage

The year 2024 proved particularly challenging in climatic terms. The growing cycle began with spring frosts in April, requiring protective measures to be put in place. The vineyard then suffered hail events, including one particularly destructive episode on the first of May. May and June were marked by excessive rainfall, leading to strong mildew pressure. Despite these chaotic weather conditions and very low yields, the estate maintained its organic practices.

Winemaking and aging

Following an entirely hand-picked harvest into small perforated crates, the grapes for this Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons" Domaine 2024 undergo gentle pneumatic pressing. Fermentation takes place mainly through indigenous yeasts. Aging lasts between thirteen and fourteen months, split one-third in oak barrels around six years old and two-thirds in stainless steel tanks. The wine spends its first six months in contact with fine lees in the wood. Malolactic fermentation is partially or fully blocked in order to preserve a beautiful tension.

Grape variety

Chardonnay (100%)