William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Beauroy" Domaine 2018

Tasting notes and serving tips for the Chablis 1er Cru "Beauroy" 2018 from Domaine William Fèvre

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with golden highlights

Nose

The bouquet reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of candied lemon and honey, accompanied by floral aromas of white flowers. The mineral dimension comes through with aromas of steel and flint, the hallmark of the Kimmeridgian terroir. Hints of green apple and walnut complete this elegant aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy 2018 unveils a well-balanced structure between zesty freshness and fruity richness. The crisp attack gives way to a creamy texture, supported by a persistent saline minerality. The finish lingers on lemony and mineral notes, with a subtle, noble bitterness that brings character and crystalline freshness to the whole.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with seafood, notably oysters or scallops. It also elegantly accompanies white fish with a light sauce, shellfish, as well as fresh or aged goat cheeses from the Chablis area.

Serving and cellaring

Serve this Chablis 1er Cru "Beauroy" 2018 at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. A brief aeration of a few minutes in the glass will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

A Chablis Premier Cru true to the Burgundian minerality of Domaine William Fèvre

The estate

Officially founded in 1959, Domaine William Fèvre has established itself as a leading reference in the Chablis vineyard in Burgundy. With 70 hectares spread across 90 plots, including 15.9 hectares in Premier Cru and 15.2 hectares in Grand Cru, the estate is now owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite since January 2024. Led by Didier Séguier since 1998, the estate stands out for its pioneering environmental commitment, as the first in Chablis to be certified High Environmental Value (HVE3) as early as 2014.

The vineyard

The Climat Beauroy stretches along the left bank of the Serein, benefiting from a favorable south and southeast exposure. The soil is composed of white clay-limestone with bluish reflections, resting on a subsoil of Kimmeridgian marls, a fossil-rich geological formation dating back 155 million years. This composition gives the terroir its distinctive mineral signature. The steep slopes and exposure to dry easterly winds create demanding conditions that favor aromatic concentration and the characteristic expression of Chablis.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage is characterized by favorable growing conditions that yielded ripe, balanced grapes. Harvesting began on September 12, a relatively early date reflecting the warmth of this sunny and generous year.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Chablis 1er Cru "Beauroy" 2018 follows a minimalist approach aimed at preserving the expression of the terroir. Pneumatic pressing lasts about one and a half to two hours, followed by light settling. Alcoholic fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. The mixed aging is split between 40 to 50% in older French oak barrels (averaging six years old) for 13 to 14 months, with the remainder in small stainless-steel tanks. This method allows for gradual micro-oxygenation without pronounced oaky notes, thus preserving the wine’s aromatic purity and minerality.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay