William Fèvre : Chablis Village Domaine 2019

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for William Fèvre Chablis Village Domaine 2019

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with subtle green highlights, characteristic of cool-climate Chardonnays.

Nose

The nose opens on fresh citrus aromas, notably lemon and grapefruit, accompanied by notes of green pear and white flowers. The chalky minerality typical of the Kimmeridgian terroir expresses itself with elegance.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals lovely freshness and remarkable tension. The structure is elegant and linear, carried by vibrant acidity that brings lift and energy. Citrus and white-fleshed fruit flavors mingle with a lingering saline minerality. The finish is long and refreshing.

Food and Wine Pairings

This 2019 Chablis Village pairs ideally with seafood, especially oysters and shellfish platters. It also matches perfectly with grilled or poached fish, smoked salmon, as well as fresh goat cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

Chablis Village 2019 Domaine William Fèvre is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2027.

A Chablis marked by vibrancy and finesse

The Estate

Founded in 1959 with just seven hectares, Domaine William Fèvre has gradually established itself as an essential reference in Chablis. Today, the estate spans 70 hectares across 90 parcels, including 15.2 hectares of Grand Crus and 15.9 hectares of Premier Crus, making it the largest owner of Grand Crus in the appellation. Since 1998, the estate has been led by Didier Séguier, who has profoundly shaped the style of the wines by favoring the expression of terroir. A pioneer in environmental matters, the estate has practiced organic viticulture since 2000 and was the first in Chablis to obtain HVE3 certification in 2014. In January 2024, the estate was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, marking their first foothold in Burgundy, while maintaining Didier Séguier at its helm.

The Vineyard

This Chablis Village comes from parcels located in northern Burgundy. The vines are rooted in the famous Kimmeridgian soils, made up of a mix of clay, limestone, chalk, and oyster fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. This unique geological composition gives the wines their hallmark minerality and distinctive salinity. The estate practices demanding organic viticulture, investing 500 to 600 hours of work per hectare—well above the regional average. Harvesting is exclusively by hand, carried out by a team of 150 people, followed by rigorous sorting to select only the finest grapes.

The Vintage

The 2019 vintage in Chablis proved sunny and contrasting. After a mild winter and an early spring, frosts in April impacted yields. Summer was marked by intense heat and significant drought, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40°C. Despite these hot conditions, a concentration phenomenon through evaporation made it possible to remarkably preserve the grapes’ acidity. The 2019 vintage is thus characterized by concentrated, powerful wines while retaining the freshness and minerality typical of Chablis.

Winemaking and Aging

Harvest took place from early September to mid-October in excellent sanitary conditions. After hand harvesting and selective sorting, the grapes for Chablis Village 2019 are gently pressed for 1.5 to 2 hours. The must undergoes light static settling for 24 hours at around 11°C. Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks at a controlled temperature between 18 and 20°C, preserving aromatic purity and the mineral expression of the terroir. In keeping with the estate’s philosophy, no new oak barrels are used for this village cuvée. The wine is then aged on fine lees for 10 to 12 months in stainless-steel tanks, a technique that brings aromatic complexity and texture while maintaining the appellation’s signature freshness.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay