Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Bougros sits on a very steep slope, with a gradient of more than 30%, facing south at the foot of the hill.
- The shallow soil, a mixture of clay and gravel, prevents excessive yields resulting in complex, robust wines.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: The appellation benefits from its steep slope (higher than 30%) and full sun exposure. William Fèvre owns 49% of the total appellation. The steep slope and shallow soil produces robust wines. Use of the principle of gravity so as to avoid all pumping, which could harm the quality of the wine. Brief (1½ – 2 hours) pneumatic pressing to obtain a gentle separation of the solid and liquid parts of the grape. Very light static settling of the juice to preserve enough fine lees so that the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations can occur naturally. The must is run into French oak barrels (aged of 6 years in average) for 50 to 60% of the harvest. The remainder is vinified in small stainless steel vats. The wine then ages 14 to 15 months, of which 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, for 50 to 60% of the harvest. The end of maturation occurs in small stainless steel vats.
Tasting Notes: “Offers apple, lemon and stone flavors, backed by a firm structure. Lean and taut, yet balanced, persisting through the long finish.” – Wine Spectator, Sept. 2017
PRESS
2015 – 93 Wine Spectator
2016 – 93-95 Vinous | 93-95 Wine Advocate
2017 – 90 Wine Spectator | 93 Wine Advocate | 94 James Suckling | 96 Vinous
2018 – 90 Wine Spectator | 94 Wine Advocate | 94-96 Vinous
2019 – 96 Decanter | 95+ Wine Advocate
2020 – 96 Wine Advocate | 96 Decanter | 92 Wine Spectator | 92-94 Vinous
2021 – 95 Decanter | 94+ Wine Advocate | 93-95 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Founded in 1959, Domaine William Fèvre is at the very heart of the Chablis vineyards. Since its founding, Domaine William Fèvre has been taken up with the desire to produce indisputable genuine and fine wines, bringing along a very personal experience in Chardonnay. All the efforts have but one goal – to finely express the subtle most variations in the greatest Chablis crus. Today, Domaine William Fèvre is one of the most established and renowned estates in Chablis. The estate was acquired by the Henriot family in 1998. Practicing sustainable growing in its vineyards for nearly 10 years now, Domaine William Fèvre obtained, in 2015, the “High Environmental Value” (HVE) status, the highest level of environmental certification in France.