William Fèvre : Chablis Grand cru "Bougros Côte Bouguerots" Domaine 2021

Tasting characteristics and tips for the Chablis Grand Cru "Bougros Côte Bouguerots" Domaine 2021 by William Fèvre

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale straw-yellow hue with golden and slightly greenish highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with delicate floral notes of acacia and hawthorn. Citrus aromas are expressed with precision, evoking lemon, lime and zest. Hints of white peach and wildflower honey also emerge, alongside a pronounced minerality reminiscent of gunflint, oyster shells and the seashore. A subtle touch of oak adds an extra dimension without masking the expression of the terroir.

Palate

On the palate, this Chablis 2021 stands out for its precision and taut, focused character. The attack is lively, and vibrant acidity structures the whole with elegance. The wine offers a medium body—straightforward and balanced—with fine energy. The texture is pleasing, and the saline minerality carries through to the finish. The finish is long and still slightly reserved, marked by lingering spicy notes and a saline touch that underscores the authenticity of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis 2021 pairs naturally with oysters, creating perfect harmony between the wine’s minerality and the shellfish’s briny character. It also pairs beautifully with seafood platters, scallops, mussels, lobster and crab. Poached, grilled or lightly sauced white fish are also excellent matches, as are raw fish preparations such as ceviche. Cream-based poultry dishes and fresh goat cheeses round out the pairing options harmoniously.

Serving and cellaring

This Chablis 2021 can be enjoyed now and through around 2027 according to critics, or even until around 2030 or 2040 according to other assessments. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C to fully appreciate its freshness and aromatic complexity.

An authentic, mineral Chablis from Domaine William Fèvre

The estate

The Domaine William Fèvre was founded in 1959, although the family has been present in the region for more than 250 years. With around 70 hectares of vineyards spread across 90 parcels, the estate is now the largest owner of Chablis Grands Crus with 15 hectares, in addition to 16 hectares of Premiers Crus. Since January 2024, the estate has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, owners of Château Lafite Rothschild. Didier Séguier, director and cellar master since 1998, continues to lead the estate with a philosophy centered on expressing terroir and respecting the environment. A pioneer in sustainable viticulture, William Fèvre was the first Chablis estate to obtain Haute Valeur Environnementale certification in 2014, with 50 hectares certified organic and 32 hectares farmed biodynamically.

The vineyard

This Chablis 2021 comes from around 46 hectares of vineyards classified under the Chablis appellation, located in the north of Burgundy. The vines grow on the famed Kimmeridgian soils, composed of limestone and marl dating back 150 million years, rich in marine fossils—particularly oyster shells. This unique geological makeup gives the wines their hallmark minerality and distinctive salinity. Chablis’ cool, northern climate helps preserve bright acidity and great freshness in the wines. Harvesting is done by hand for the premium parcels, allowing for rigorous grape selection.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Chablis proved especially challenging. After an exceptionally warm March, with temperatures reaching 25°C, budbreak two weeks early exposed the vines to a devastating frost episode in early April. From April 1st to 10th, temperatures dropped to as low as -8°C, destroying 80 to 90% of primary buds in the region. June and July then brought frequent rainfall and strong disease pressure. Despite a drier August, cool conditions delayed veraison until early September. Harvest took place in sunny weather, but yields remained historically low, with only 18 to 20 hectoliters per hectare for Domaine William Fèvre in the Chablis appellation in 2021.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking for the Chablis 2021 was carried out on a parcel-by-parcel basis, with particular attention paid to grape selection given the conditions of the vintage. The estate favors a low-intervention approach in the cellar to preserve the expression of the terroir. Aging takes place mainly in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with limited use of six-year-old French oak barrels inherited from Maison Bouchard Père et Fils. This approach avoids any excessive influence from new oak and highlights the purity and minerality characteristic of Chablis. The wines are kept on the lees with regular lees stirring to develop aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay