William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Les Lys" Domaine 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys" Domaine 2021 by William Fèvre

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with green highlights, typical of a cool-climate chardonnay.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of green apple, pear, and white peach, accompanied by floral notes of white blossoms and honeysuckle. Mineral and herbal nuances subtly round out this bouquet.

Palate

The attack is crisp and fresh, with a vibrant acidity typical of a northern climate. The mid-palate offers suppleness and refinement without heaviness. The hallmark minerality gradually unfolds, with persistent salinity and notes reminiscent of oyster shell, the signature of the Kimmeridgian terroir. The finish, with lovely length, combines citrus and minerality in a refreshing balance.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis 2021 pairs perfectly with oysters and raw seafood, grilled white fish such as sole or sea bass, pan-seared scallops, as well as simply prepared crab or lobster. It also elegantly complements poultry in cream sauce, buttered asparagus, or a fresh goat cheese.

Serving and cellaring

This Chablis 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Its alcohol level is 12.5%.

A generous, remarkably precise Chablis

The estate

Founded in 1959, Domaine William Fèvre now spans 78 hectares across 90 distinct plots in the heart of the Chablis appellation. With 15.2 hectares of grands crus, the estate is the largest owner in this prestigious category. Since January 2024, the property has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR Lafite), representing their sole presence in Burgundy. Under the technical direction of Didier Séguier since 1998, the estate has established itself as a pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture in the region, obtaining Haute Valeur Environnementale certification as early as 2014, a first for Chablis.

The vineyard

This Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys" Domaine 2021 is sourced from a blend of around fifty vineyard plots located at the northernmost tip of Burgundy. The terroir is rooted in the famed Kimmeridgian soils, a 150-million-year-old geological formation made up of marls and marly limestone rich in marine fossils, notably oyster shells and ammonites. This unique composition gives the wines their signature saline minerality. The vineyard is farmed organically, with a gradual conversion initiated as early as 1999 and official certification obtained in 2020.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Chablis presented notable viticultural challenges, with frost episodes and unstable weather conditions that restricted yields. Despite these difficulties, 2021 is recognized as the first vintage since 2017 to fully express the appellation’s classic character, with vibrant acidity and a strong terroir influence. Conditions favored the production of elegant wines that emphasize finesse and site expression over concentration.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are gently pressed using pneumatic pressing for 1.5 to 2 hours, followed by light static settling. The Chablis 2021 is vinified exclusively in stainless-steel tanks, with no contact with oak, in order to preserve freshness and the pure expression of the terroir. Aging takes place on the lees for 10 to 12 months in stainless-steel tanks, with minimal oxidative exposure, allowing the Kimmeridgian character to shine through unaltered.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay