William Fèvre : Chablis Grand cru "Les Clos" Domaine 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" Domaine William Fèvre 2018

Tasting

Color

The color shows a pale yellow to light golden hue, highlighted by subtle greenish glints.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet reveals remarkable complexity, led by notes of candied citrus and waxed lemon zest. Floral aromas of linden blossom and white flowers mingle with hints of beeswax. With aeration, touches of white-fleshed fruits such as peach and pear emerge, accompanied by a pronounced mineral dimension evoking crushed stone, damp chalk and oyster shell—hallmarks of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

Palate

The attack is lively and saline, creating an immediate sense of freshness. The structure is broad-shouldered and muscular, with a generous body that nonetheless retains precision and elegance. The palate unfolds in layered flavors combining citrus, white fruits and a persistent chalky minerality. The finish lingers at length on notes of wet stone, chalk and shellfish, with racy acidity that brings tension and drive. This remarkable persistence attests to exceptional concentration and considerable aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" 2018 pairs beautifully with refined seafood preparations, notably lobster and langoustines poached in butter. It also elevates fine white-fleshed fish such as turbot, served with light beurre blanc or citrus-based sauces. Simply pan-seared scallops make an ideal match. For a bolder pairing, this wine also accompanies foie gras perfectly, whether in terrine or pan-seared, its vibrancy providing a welcome counterpoint to the dish’s richness.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" Domaine William Fèvre 2018 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. It is recommended to open it 15 to 30 minutes before serving to allow the aromas to fully express themselves. This wine can be enjoyed now, yet it offers outstanding potential for development. According to critics, it can improve until around 2045, with an optimal drinking window opening from 2025.

An exceptional Chablis Grand Cru, a pure expression of Burgundy’s Kimmeridgian terroir

The estate

The Domaine William Fèvre, officially established in 1959, represents the culmination of four centuries of the Fèvre family’s presence in Chablis, dating back to 1619. With 70 hectares spread over around 90 plots, including 15.2 hectares of Grands Crus (the largest holding in this category in Chablis), the estate stands as an essential benchmark for the appellation. Since 1998, Didier Séguier has led the estate as director and cellar master. Since January 2024, the domaine has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, headed by Saskia de Rothschild. A pioneer in environmental stewardship, William Fèvre obtained organic certification in 2023 and has practiced biodynamics on its Grands and Premiers Crus parcels since 2010, embodying viticulture that respects Burgundy’s terroir.

The vineyard

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" comes from 4.14 hectares spread across seven distinct parcels within this prestigious Climat. Located on the right bank of the Serein, Les Clos benefits from a particular exposure and drainage. The vines, planted between 1947 and 1952, were between 66 and 71 years old at the time of the 2018 harvest, giving the wine concentration and complexity. The Kimmeridgian subsoil, made up of marly limestone from the Upper Jurassic and rich in microscopic marine fossils (Exogyra virgula), imparts the wine’s characteristically saline minerality. The parcels are farmed organically, with soil plowing that encourages deep rooting and access to mineral horizons.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly favorable after two more challenging years. The mild, dry winter was followed by late budbreak at the end of March, avoiding spring frosts. Flowering took place harmoniously at the end of May under stable conditions, ensuring good fruit set. Harvest began on August 31, 2018, revealing grapes in perfect sanitary condition, with thick skins, generous pulp and excellent juice yields—evidence of ideal ripening conditions and remarkable balance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chablis Grand Cru "Les Clos" Domaine William Fèvre 2018 were harvested by hand in small crates and rigorously sorted. Short pneumatic pressing (1.5 to 2 hours) made it possible to extract the juice while limiting the extraction of phenolic compounds. Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Aging over twenty months combined two phases: 40% of the wine spent five to six months in French oak barrels on fine lees, adding structure and subtle complexity, before the whole was transferred to small stainless-steel tanks to complete maturation, thereby preserving freshness and mineral expression.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay