Simonnet-Febvre : Chablis 1er cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020 from Simonnet-Febvre

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with bright, crystalline highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, combining ripe white-fleshed fruits such as white peach and pear with candied citrus notes reminiscent of fresh lemon and bitter orange zest. Mineral nuances evoking wet stone and fossil oyster complete this bouquet, enhanced by delicate floral touches of acacia and apple blossom, along with discreet notes of vanilla and brioche.

Palate

The attack is clean and lively, giving way to a lovely mid-palate volume marked by a creamy texture delicately lifted by a subtle hint of bitterness on the finish. The full-bodied palate is dominated by fresh citrus and mineral nuances that provide a structured, vibrant backbone. The acidity remains brisk and mouthwatering, extending into a fine, tangy finish with a saline edge. Aromatic persistence is built on a pleasant bitterness of grapefruit and bitter orange, complemented by a delicate mineral thread and lingering notes of honey and candied quince. The wine expresses remarkable creaminess paired with precision and enduring freshness.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020 is an ideal match for grilled langoustines, fish in sauce, and white meats with delicate sauces. Its distinctive salinity also makes it perfect with oysters, lightly seared scallops, poached turbot, sea bass baked in a salt crust, and steamed shellfish. It also harmonizes with richer preparations such as roast monkfish, sole meunière, or andouillette with mustard sauce.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020 at a temperature of 10-12°C. Prior aeration of around one hour in a decanter allows the wine to fully release its aromas. This wine reaches its peak between around 2024 and 2035, with cellaring potential up to around 2040 for bottles stored in optimal cellar conditions.

A Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy combining minerality and complexity

The estate

Founded in 1840 by Jean Febvre, a cooper specializing in the production of Chablis Mousseux, Simonnet-Febvre is one of the oldest Chablis houses in Burgundy. Acquired in 2003 by Maison Louis Latour, it remains the only house in Chablis to have perpetuated, since its origins, the production of sparkling wines using the traditional method. Since 2019, it has been led by Paul Espitalié, a qualified oenologist. It owns 20 hectares of vineyards and sources grapes from partner growers across around 100 hectares in total. Simonnet-Febvre is firmly committed to converting its vines to organic farming, with a goal of full certification by 2026.

The vineyard

The Montée de Tonnerre climat is one of the most prestigious Premier Crus in the Chablis vineyard, located on the right bank of the Serein as a direct extension of the Grands Crus hillside. This climat covers around 42.5 hectares and benefits from a south-west exposure on moderate to steep slopes. The shallow soils lie on Kimmeridgian marly limestones, from which veins of blue clay emerge, bringing the wines their signature minerality and distinctive energy. The vines from which this Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020 is produced have an average age of 35 years.

The vintage

The year 2020 was marked by contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring brought spells of coolness before a hot, sunny summer. These conditions enabled optimal grape ripening, encouraging terroir expression and aromatic concentration. The 2020 vintage stands out for its fine balance between freshness and ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2020 is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks between 17 and 21°C, an approach that supports controlled aroma extraction and preserves the fruit’s freshness. Extended aging on fine lees lasts a full 12 months, with 25% of the volume aged in traditional oak barrels and 75% kept in stainless-steel tanks. This deliberate proportion maximizes minerality and preserves freshness while adding an extra layer of subtle complexity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay