White Still Wine | France | Burgundy | Chablis | 75cl
£39.95
/
£239.70
£227.72 case
ABV: 13%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub-Region: Chablis
Wine Style: Crisp and Dry White
Grape: Chardonnay
The Fèvre name is synonymous with top-quality Chablis and this branch of the family, headed by husband and wife Gilles and Nathalie continue as fourth generation to produce outstanding, hugely typical wines from their 50 ha holdings around Fontenay-près-Chablis.
For many years the family was an important supplier to La Chablisienne Co-op, particularly with their extensive plantings of premier cru Fourchaume and top-quality 'village' Chablis that surrounds that prestigious vineyard. Today their modern cellars on the edge of the vineyards are run by oenologist Nathalie with her daughter Julie – an oenology graduate from Dijon University – influencing the direction of the domaine. Small stainless-steel tanks are used to preserve the personalities of each Chablis they make, and there is a light hand with the oak. Gilles meanwhile is immersed in the viticulture, more and more natural he insists, of their considerable holdings in the Les Preuses grand cru as well as Vaulorent, Mont de Milieu and Fourchaume 1er cru vineyards. Their ‘village’ Chablis is outstanding too. Fèvre wines exhibit exquisite balance between intensity of fruit and the clean, pure flavours which are the hallmarks of great Chablis. Add in the finesse and complexity from these prime sites and you can expect world-class wines.
This Premier Cru 'Vaulorent' (2.2ha) planted between 1955 and 1975 is situated just beside the Grands Crus, it is considered to be a unique terroir. This wine has great fullness, the same as the 1ers crus Fourchaume, with the added charm and elegance of top quality wines.
Vinification and ageing on fine lees during 12 months (minimum): for 20% in oak (new barrels) and the rest in air-conditioned stainless steel tanks. Bottling and storage in air-conditioned cellar before shipping. Fruity, lightly toasty, round and mineral.
It will be perfect with sea food platters (natural, grilled or more elaborated), also mushroom based platters, and also excellent with veal platters or cheese (goat cheese or Beaufort or local cheese: Soumaintrain).
The growing season of 2021 presented numerous challenges, including frost, rain, mildew, rot, and hail. We were initially hesitant about the potential quality of the vintage, given these adverse conditions. However, upon tasting the wines, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they had gained depth and weight since the spring. Our tasting notes consistently highlighted bright, fresh, pure, delicate, perfumed, and energetic characteristics, with distinct terroir differences.
One of the growers mentioned that in the past, one in every five vintages was a "hot" year, while currently, the reverse is true, with one in five vintages being a "cool" year. A mild winter and warm March led to early vine growth, with budbreak occurring in April. However, the region was hit by a severe frost that affected even the sloped areas, which are typically spared in spring frosts. The frost caused the vines to shut down for about three weeks, leading to reduced yields, particularly in the Cote du Beaune, which saw a reduction of 65-80%, while the Cote du Nuit experienced a 50% reduction.
Disease pressure grew in the vineyards during the cooler and wet early summer, with mildew and odium further diminishing the yield. The month preceding harvest brought dry and warm weather, which greatly aided the harvest. Harvest took place in mid-September, a full month later than in 2020. Alexandrine Roy shared the following image, to demonstrate the high quality of grapes, with patient and thorough sorting both in the vineyard and at the sorting table.
The use of new oak varied significantly in 2021, with some growers opting for no new oak. It was difficult for some growers who make wines in small amounts to keep the usual ratios of oak, as the quantities were so small. Whole bunch use was lower than usual for the red wines, as growers sought to avoid extracting bitterness from unripe stems. Pump overs were used more frequently than punch downs. Experienced growers, who took their foot off the pedal and expressed what the vintage gave them succeeded.
The small yields of 2021 resulted in naturally concentrated wines, with the whites exhibiting intense citrus and floral aromas, and the reds displaying bright, light bodies and lovely perfumes. Both the white and red wines are highly seductive and ready to drink straight from the barrel. Due to the low yields, prices have increased. Allocating these wines will be difficult, but we are fortunate to have the excellent 2022 vintage in both yield and quality to follow.
