William Fèvre : Chablis 1er cru "Montmains" Domaine 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" Domaine 2020 from William Fèvre

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with golden and green highlights, crystal-clear and bright.

Nose

The nose opens with fresh aromas of lemon, green apple, and white flowers. Characteristic mineral notes evoking flint and seashells gradually emerge, accompanied by subtle herbal touches.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows a taut, precise structure. The lively attack gives way to flavors of citrus and white-fleshed fruits, supported by a pronounced saline minerality. The finish lingers elegantly with chiseled notes and refreshing acidity.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Premier Cru is an ideal match for oysters, seafood, and shellfish. It also pairs perfectly with grilled fish or fish in a light sauce, as well as with poultry in a cream and mushroom sauce.

Serving and cellaring

The Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2030.

A Chablis Premier Cru true to the typical minerality of Burgundy

The estate

Founded in 1959 by William Fèvre, the eponymous estate now spans around 70 hectares, including 15.9 hectares of Premiers Crus and 15.2 hectares of Grands Crus. Located in the heart of the Chablis appellation in Burgundy, this estate is the region’s largest owner of classified terroirs. A pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming, the estate obtained Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3 certification as early as 2014. Since January 2024, the property has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, under the continued direction of Didier Séguier, who has been working for over 25 years to bring out the pure expression of Kimmeridgian terroirs.

The vineyard

The Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" comes from 3.8 hectares spread across ten parcels located on the left bank of the Serein. These vines benefit from a south to south-east exposure on windy slopes. The Kimmeridgian soil, made up of limestone marls rich in marine fossils dating back 150 million years, gives the wine its characteristic minerality and saline notes. The vines are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, with hand harvesting and a deliberate limitation of yields between 30 and 45 hectoliters per hectare.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Chablis benefited from an early spring with no significant frost damage. Summer brought favorable conditions with sufficient sunshine and adequate rainfall, allowing for balanced grape ripening. Moderate temperatures preserved the freshness and natural acidity of the fruit. Harvest took place in early September under optimal conditions, producing grapes with fine maturity while retaining the hallmark vibrancy of the appellation.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains" 2020 are hand-harvested into small crates. After gentle pneumatic pressing, fermentation takes place parcel by parcel with indigenous yeasts, partly in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and partly in French oak barrels. Partial barrel aging adds complexity without masking the expression of the terroir. The wine rests on fine lees for several months, developing its texture and aromatic depth. No excessive filtration is carried out in order to preserve the wine’s authenticity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay