Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Valmur
WHY WE LOVE IT
- With its terroir split into two parts on either side of the Sainte Vaubourg fountain path, it has slightly deeper clay-limestone soils than the other Grands Crus.
- Its shape is reminiscent of a small valley hence the name “Valmur”.
- The soil and subsoil of this Chablis is chalky clay, marl, and marly limestone from the Kimmeridgian era (the upper Jurassic geological period, 160-140 million years ago), rich in minerals and oyster fossils, giving the mineral character typical of the wines of Chablis.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: Manual harvest. 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 60 to 70% of the harvest. The remainder is vinified in small stainless steel vats. 14 to 15 months, of which 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, for 60 to 70% of the harvest. The end of maturation occurs in small stainless steel vats.
Tasting Notes :Charming bouquet with astonishing fruitiness and a good mineral character. The powerful, strongly constituted palate lacks neither elegance nor roundness.
PRESS
2020 – 95+ Wine Advocate | 92-94 Vinous
2021 – 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.