William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Montée de Tonnerre" Domaine 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" Domaine 2024 by William Fèvre

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a pale yellow hue enhanced by delicate greenish highlights.

Nose
The bouquet opens with great purity, blending aromas of white flowers, citrus and orchard fruits such as apple and pear. It is underpinned by a striking minerality, evoking flint, chalk and oyster shell, the unmistakable signature of its terroir.

Palate
On the palate, this wine combines power and tension. Its ample, concentrated body is perfectly balanced by lively acidity and a very precise mineral framework. The finish, remarkably long, stretches out with saline and subtly spiced notes.

Food and Wine Pairing

This great white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, such as scallop carpaccio, pan-seared turbot or roasted lobster. It also enhances white meats in sauce, such as chicken in cream sauce, as well as aged goat's cheeses or a mature Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

Built for ageing, this Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" Domaine 2024 needs a few years to reveal its full complexity. It can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2044.

The Pure Expression of Kimmeridgian Terroir by Domaine William Fèvre

The Estate

Founded in 1959 by William Fèvre, the eponymous estate has established itself as an essential reference in Chablis, in the north of Burgundy. With an exceptional 70-hectare vineyard, it is today the largest owner of Grand Cru vineyards in the appellation. Since January 2024, Domaine William Fèvre has been owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite (DBR Lafite), while Didier Séguier continues to oversee its technical management. A pioneer in its environmental approach, the estate stands out for its philosophy of "viticulture-gardening", which aims to express the nuances of its terroirs with the greatest purity.

The Vineyard

The cuvée comes from a 2.24-hectare vineyard located on the right bank of the Serein, in the heart of the Chablis appellation. This Premier Cru comes from three distinct lieux-dits (Pied d'Aloup, Chapelot and Côte de Bréchain) planted on the famous Kimmeridgian subsoil, rich in marl, limestone and oyster fossils. The vines, some of which were planted in 1936, benefit from varied exposures that bring freshness, richness and structure in equal measure. The estate applies biodynamic principles to these parcels, encouraging active biodiversity and limiting mechanisation to preserve the natural balance of the soils.

Vinification and Ageing

The grapes for this Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" Domaine 2024 are hand-harvested, followed by rigorous sorting and gravity-fed transfer. Gentle pneumatic pressing precedes a light settling. To preserve the identity of the terroir, fermentation and ageing take place simultaneously in small stainless steel tanks and in French oak barrels averaging six years old, with no new wood whatsoever. The wine then ages for 13 to 19 months, including several months on fine lees with lees stirring adjusted to the characteristics of the vintage.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay