Simonnet-Febvre : Chablis Grand cru "Les Clos" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" 2020 by Simonnet-Febvre

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a golden yellow hue with green highlights.

Nose

Initially closed and restrained, the nose calls for patience to reveal its full aromatic complexity. It gradually unveils aromas of honey, citrus and spices—especially cinnamon—alongside mineral notes reminiscent of flint.

Palate

On the palate, this wine stands out for its concentration and pronounced mineral character. A creamy texture contrasts with vibrant freshness driven by lively acidity. Flavors of ripe citrus, green apple and stone fruits mingle with a saline minerality. The long, complex finish lingers on intense mineral notes.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Grand Cru is an ideal match for grilled fish or fish in sauce, as well as grilled white meats or dishes prepared with cream-based sauces. It also pairs perfectly with oysters, shellfish and poultry in a light sauce.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" 2020 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2032. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A mineral, concentrated Chablis Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1840 by Jean Febvre, a cooper from Montbard, Simonnet-Febvre is one of the oldest houses in Chablis. Acquired in 2003 by Maison Louis Latour, it is now led by Paul Espitalié, appointed Managing Director and winemaker in 2019. The house stands out as the only producer in Chablis that also makes Crémant de Bourgogne, perpetuating a tradition established from its inception. Simonnet-Febvre owns around 3.6 hectares of vines in Chablis, including a parcel in the Grand Cru Les Preuses and 3.5 hectares in the Premier Cru Mont de Milieu.

The vineyard

This Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos is the largest of the seven Chablis Grand Cru climats, covering 24.79 hectares. This vineyard benefits from a south to south-west exposure on steeply sloping hillsides. The soils are composed of Kimmeridgian clay and limestone, rich in fossils of exogira virgula, the small fossilized oysters characteristic of the appellation. The upper sections, with higher limestone content, produce wines of exceptional minerality, while the lower, more clay-rich parts provide roundness and structure.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was marked by a mild, wet winter, followed by early budbreak at the end of March. Spring frosts occurred between late March and early April, and again in mid-May, though their impact was limited. Summer proved hot and dry, slightly slowing ripening while limiting berry size. Harvest began on August 24, 15 to 20 days ahead of average. The grapes were in excellent sanitary condition, with normal sugar levels and sufficient tartaric acidity to ensure freshness and balance. The 2020 vintage is considered one of Burgundy’s great vintages, producing white wines with remarkable vibrancy and pronounced minerality.

Winemaking and aging

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" 2020 is vinified with a yield of 54 hectoliters per hectare. Vinification is split between 65% in stainless-steel tanks and 35% in three- to five-year-old oak barrels. Aging follows the same proportion and continues for 15 to 18 months on fine lees. This approach preserves the mineral purity characteristic of Chablis while bringing added complexity and textural richness through moderate contact with oak.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay