William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Vaulorent" Domaine 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis 1er Cru "Vaulorent" Domaine 2018 by William Fèvre

Tasting

Color

The color shows a bright pale yellow hue with pronounced green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals great aromatic complexity, with notes of dried white flowers, white-fleshed fruit and citrus. Mineral nuances evoking flint and crushed limestone complete the bouquet. With aeration, aromas of almond and subtle smoky touches gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, the wine expresses remarkable richness supported by lively acidity that brings freshness and length. The silky texture reveals fine depth and density on the palate. The mineral expression comes through as an intense salinity and a granular sensation reminiscent of crushed stone. The finish stretches out with precision, marked by citrus notes and a persistent saline minerality.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis 1er Cru "Vaulorent" 2018 is an ideal match for oysters and grilled or steamed seafood. It also pairs perfectly with grilled white fish or fish in sauce, poultry in a cream sauce, as well as fresh goat cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis 1er Cru "Vaulorent" 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but has cellaring potential through around 2035.

A Chablis Premier Cru with intense minerality and a grand cru character

The estate

Founded in 1959, the Domaine William Fèvre draws on more than 250 years of family presence in the Chablis vineyards of Bourgogne. With 70 hectares spread across 90 plots, including 15.2 hectares of grands crus and 15.9 hectares of premiers crus, it is the appellation’s largest owner of grands crus. Since January 2024, the estate has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, with Didier Séguier remaining at the helm. A pioneer in environmental practices, the estate has farmed its premier and grand cru vineyards biodynamically since 2010 and was the first to obtain HVE level 3 certification in 2014.

The vineyard

The Climat Vaulorent lies on the right bank of the Serein, at the southern end of the Fourchaume complex. This Chablis plot enjoys a privileged position immediately adjacent to the grands crus Preuses and Bougros. Domaine William Fèvre owns around 3.63 hectares here, on Kimmeridgian soils of marly limestone enriched with oyster fossils. The vines, averaging over thirty years of age, benefit from a south-southeast to south-southwest exposure, providing optimal sunshine.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage was exceptional for Chablis. After a rainy winter that replenished water reserves, spring conditions were ideal, with perfect flowering. From April to September, above-average temperatures and remarkable sunshine encouraged optimal ripening. The harvest, among the earliest in Bourgogne, took place in late August under perfect sanitary conditions. This vintage is considered one of the finest of the last twenty years.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chablis 1er Cru "Vaulorent" 2018 were harvested by hand into small wooden crates, then moved by gravity. After gentle pneumatic pressing and light settling, fermentation took place half in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and half in six-year-old French oak barrels. Aging lasted between fourteen and sixteen months, including five to six months on fine lees, allowing aromatic development without excessive oxidation.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay