Chablis Domaine
The vintage
After a relatively mild and very dry winter, the vine began to bud in the last week of March. Fortunately, at the end of March, just before the first frosts, the vintage showed a few days' delay compared to the average of the past 20 years. Despite the frost and cold, we observe a good emergence of clusters. Flowering took place at the end of May under excellent conditions, with little shatter or millerandage. The vine caught up and now shows a 10-day advance. August 31 marks the beginning of the harvest with all the teams. The sanitary condition is perfect, the skins are thick, and the grapes are pulpy with a good juice yield.
Location
Chablis is a globally recognized appellation. The vines of Domaine William Fèvre are established on Kimmeridgian subsoil and benefit from an ideal exposure, thus creating the perfect conditions for producing an exceptional wine.
Terroir
The soil, composed of marl and Kimmeridgian clay-limestone (a geological period from the Upper Jurassic dating from 160 to 140 million years ago), stretches on both sides of the Serein River. The subsoils are rich in minerals and oyster fossils, imparting the distinctive mineral character of Chablis wines.
Winemaking
Application of the principle of gravity to avoid any pumping, which could alter the quality of the wine. Short-duration pneumatic pressing (1h30 to 2h00) for a delicate separation between the solid and liquid parts of the grapes. Very light static settling to retain enough fine lees for the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations to occur naturally. The musts are placed in French oak barrels (on average 6 years old) for 40 to 50% of the blend. The remainder is vinified in small stainless steel tanks. Aging lasts 13 to 14 months, including 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels for 40 to 50% of the blend. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.
Tasting
A fresh and refined bouquet unfolds with notes of citrus, white-fleshed fruits, and flowers.
The palate, both fresh and smooth, is supported by a lovely minerality.
Grapes
Chardonnay
: 100 %