William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for William Fèvre’s Chablis Premier Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” 2018

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale green-gold hue, clear and bright.

Nose

Complex and elegant, the nose reveals intense mineral notes alongside aromas of crisp green apple and white flowers. Hints of chalk, dried pear and iodine complete this airy, refined bouquet.

Palate

The palate captivates with its satiny, incisive texture. The mouthfeel unfolds with energy, revealing zesty notes that structure the whole. Striking minerality and limestone nuances linger through to a long, savory finish with iodized accents.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” 2018 pairs ideally with seared scallops, fish in sauce or shellfish. It also elegantly complements roasted poultry and white meats, as well as farmhouse goat cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

This Chablis Premier Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” 2018 can be enjoyed now and, according to critics, will continue to develop until around 2055. Its peak is expected between around 2024 and 2027, a period during which it will gain in complexity and develop remarkable subtlety.

A lively Chablis Premier Cru with a delicate touch

The estate

Founded in 1959 by William Fèvre, the estate now stands as the largest owner of Grand Cru vineyards in Chablis, with seventy hectares spread across ninety plots. Since January 2024, the property has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, marking their first acquisition in Burgundy. Under the direction of Didier Séguier since 1998, the estate has distinguished itself as an environmental pioneer, becoming in 2014 the first Chablis estate certified Haute Valeur Environnementale, level three, before obtaining organic certification in 2023.

The vineyard

The Chablis Premier Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” comes from an outstanding terroir located on west-facing slopes, just behind the Grand Cru hillside. The estate owns 2.24 hectares spread across the Climats of Pied d'Aloup, Chapelot and Côte de Bréchain. The shallow soils rest on Kimmeridgian marly limestone typical of Chablis, dating back one hundred and fifty million years, with veins of blue clay that give the wine its hallmark minerality and remarkable energy.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage proved particularly successful in Chablis. Generous weather conditions allowed for full sugar accumulation while preserving the refreshing acidity essential to the estate’s style, resulting in grapes of optimal ripeness and remarkable balance.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Premier Cru “Montée de Tonnerre” 2018 is harvested entirely by hand. Winemaking follows the principle of gravity to avoid any oxidation. After pneumatic pressing and cold static settling, alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks for most of the volume, while 40 to 50% ferments in French oak barrels. Aging continues for thirteen to fourteen months, including five to six months on fine lees in seasoned barrels averaging six years of age, never new, thereby preserving the purity and minerality of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay