Simonnet-Febvre : Chablis Grand cru "Blanchots" 2020

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" 2020 from Simonnet-Febvre

Tasting

Color

The color shows a pale yellow hue with silvery highlights.

Nose

The nose is initially discreet, then gradually opens onto a complex, elegant bouquet. Aromas of ripe citrus fruit (yellow lemon, lemon zest, candied grapefruit) mingle with white fruits (white peach, quince, yellow plum). Delicate floral notes (wildflowers, chamomile, linden) blend with herbal touches (fresh mint, tea leaf). Aging brings subtle spicy and toasty nuances (vanilla, clove, toasted bread, roasted hazelnut).

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals a medium body with fine concentration and refined elegance. The attack is lively and fresh, carried by a well-defined acidity that gives structure to the whole. The palate expresses flavors of ripe citrus (yellow lemon, candied lemon peel), stone fruits (peach, apricot, quince) and subtle exotic notes. The mid-palate shows the complexity brought by aging, with spicy (vanilla, nutmeg, toasted bread, toasted hazelnut), floral and herbal touches. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and pronounced mineral character, with a saline, iodine-tinged dimension typical of the Blanchot terroir. The overall impression is one of beautiful vitality and fascinating precision.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" 2020 is an ideal match for grilled fish or fish in a creamy sauce, as well as grilled white meats or white meats prepared with a cream sauce. It also pairs perfectly with seafood, shellfish and aged soft-rind cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

This Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" 2020 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2027. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

A mineral Chablis Grand Cru with delicate floral notes

The estate

Founded in 1840 by Jean Febvre, a cooper from Montbard, the Simonnet-Febvre House quickly stood out for its specialization in crafting sparkling wines using the traditional method. Acquired in 2003 by Maison Louis Latour, it has been led by Paul Espitalié since 2019. With around 140 hectares of vineyards managed in Northern Burgundy, Simonnet-Febvre produces wines across the Chablis, Auxois and Grand Auxerrois appellations. The House is actively committed to converting its vineyard to organic farming and continues a production philosophy focused on expressing terroir, purity and precision.

The vineyard

The Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" comes from one of the seven climats classified as Grand Cru within the Chablis appellation. This vineyard of around 12.7 hectares stands out for its unique south-east exposure, unlike the other Grand Crus that face south-west. The soils are made up of Kimmeridgian limestone and light clay dotted with fragments of fossil shells, giving the wine its distinctive minerality. The vines used for this cuvée average forty years of age, and yields were kept under control at 54 hectoliters per hectare, allowing optimal expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Chablis was marked by exceptional earliness. After a mild, wet winter, budburst occurred as early as the second half of March, two weeks ahead of average. Frost episodes in April and May required protective measures, but damage remained limited. Flowering took place normally over around ten days. Summer brought hot, dry conditions, with a water deficit in July and early August that slowed ripening while limiting berry size. Beneficial rains in August allowed optimal maturity. Harvest began on August 24, under excellent sanitary conditions.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot" 2020 was vinified according to a protocol combining modernity and tradition. Fermentation and aging took place 65% in stainless-steel tanks and 35% in three- to five-year-old oak barrels, thereby limiting oak influence to preserve the expression of the terroir. This Burgundy wine was then aged on fine lees for 15 to 18 months, adding complexity and texture while maintaining freshness and mineral clarity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay