At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Producer
- Domaine William Fèvre
- Association
- Chablis
- Wine style
- White wine
- Range
- Village Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottles
- Defining practice
- Entire crop harvested by hand
The Producer
William Fèvre began with seven hectares and had increased the domaine to 48 hectares by his retirement. The holdings include 15 to 16 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards and 12 to 15 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards.
The whole crop is harvested by hand. Didier Séguier prioritizes early picking to keep Chablis's vibrant acidity at the fore. Organic viticulture was adopted around 2000, with official certification beginning with the 2023 vintage. Biodynamic practices began in 2010 across 32 hectares.
Place
The estate is associated with Chablis, where the range includes village wines alongside Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottles. Premier Cru and Grand Cru are vineyard classifications that identify higher ranked sites on the label, with Grand Cru above Premier Cru.
This hierarchy gives the range several levels of Chablis expression. The village wine carries the broadest appellation address, while the Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottles come from classified vineyard holdings.
Wines
Chablis Domaine is a village wine with green apple, lemon zest, citrus and mineral notes, crisp acidity and a clean finish. Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons brings crushed stone, green apple, white flowers and mineral driven acidity. Other Premier Cru bottles include Montée de Tonnerre.
The Grand Cru range includes Bougros Côte de Bouguerots, Les Clos and Les Preuses. Bougros Côte de Bouguerots shows sea breezes, oyster shells, chalk and minerals, with great length. Les Clos brings power, serious intensity, creamy texture, florals, grapefruit and oyster shells.
Premier Cru wines use 40 to 50% oak, while Grand Cru wines use 70 to 80% oak. Neither tier uses new wood.
Final Word
Domaine William Fèvre brings hand harvested fruit, early picking and oak without new wood to a Chablis range spanning village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines.
Sources
1. https://insideburgundy.com/overview/domaine-william-fevre/ 2. https://vintus.com/producers/william-fevre/ 3. https://quillandpad.com/2022/12/15/william-fevre-chablis-finally-getting-the-love-it-deserves/