On the legendary Les Clos slope, where the chalk comes to the surface and catches the light, Les Clos 2022 from Domaine William Fèvre reveals the nobility of a Chablis Grand Cru shaped by a unique terroir and jeweler-like precision. This Chardonnay cuvée, crafted with the utmost delicacy, balances density and purity, contained power and mineral vibrancy. The marly and calcareous marls, the white fossil-rich clays and the south-facing exposure give this wine an architectural stature, an underlying energy and a highly held aromatic range. The framework, initially reserved, opens with time to unfold a masterful complexity that characterises the very great whites of Burgundy. For the demanding enthusiast, this is a cuvée for contemplation, a patiently composed work that speaks as much to the hedonistic palate as to the collector's mind.

Blend and winemaking

Expression of a terroir-driven Chardonnay, Les Clos 2022 is born on the emblematic Kimmeridgian subsoil of Chablis, where marine sediments and ancestral fossils leave their imprint. Domaine William Fèvre practices gravity winemaking, without pumping, to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the finesse of the juices. The ageing stretches over 20 months in total, with 40 % in French oak barrels for 5 to 6 months on fine lees to provide relief, a discreet grain and controlled oxygenation, followed by maturation in small stainless-steel tanks to preserve the cru's uprightness and freshness. This wood-and-steel arrangement balances with tact, never dominating the wine, and lets the minerality express itself in filigree in the service of a well-structured palate destined for a brilliant evolution.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Pale yellow with golden highlights, bright and clear, it catches the light with a precious sobriety. The visual density announces concentrated material, while the brilliance suggests great internal freshness and a contained energy ready to unfold on aeration.
• Nose : Instantly complex and nuanced, it blends fruity, floral and spicy notes supported by a deep minerality. The fruits express themselves with restraint and precision, the florals suggest delicacy, the gentle spices add another dimension. In the background, the Kimmeridgian signature. The bouquet gains breadth with air, revealing exemplary aromatic accuracy.
• Palate : The structure is well-built and powerful, stretched by a skilfully dosed tension. The material settles, ample, then tightens on a salivating and precise thread. The ageing, perfectly integrated, brings roundness without weighing the wine down. The persistent finish extends the mineral sensation and opens further with age, offering added layers of complexity as the wine matures.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 12 and 14 °C in a large bowl glass to allow the multiple aromatic layers to unfold. A brief rest in the bottle after opening, a few minutes, favours overall harmony. This Grand Cru has a remarkable ageing potential and will deliver an especially accomplished expression between 2032 and 2045. Store calmly, away from light, in a cool, humid cellar to accompany its serene evolution towards greater depth and complexity.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : fine Claire oysters, clams, sea bass sashimi, zucchini flower fritters with fleur de sel.
• Starters : scallop carpaccio, crab meat dressed with herbs, white asparagus with a light mousseline.
• Main courses : roasted lobster with brown butter, turbot with light sauce, farm chicken in a creamy morel sauce, porcini risotto with white truffle.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, summer Beaufort, dry goat cheeses, young pressed cheeses to preserve the purity of the cru.
• Desserts : lightly sweetened thin citrus tart, lemon jelly with candied zest, spiced poached pear.

Occasions

Les Clos 2022 from Domaine William Fèvre invites itself to precious interludes where the table becomes a stage and taste, music. It calls for attentive service and clean cooking, for a sincere dialogue between terroir and plate.

• To honour a gourmet dinner where every detail matters.
• During a vertical tasting of Chablis Grand Cru among seasoned enthusiasts.
• As an exceptional gift for an epicurean collector.

Details

• Name : Domaine William Fèvre, Les Clos 2022
• Appellation : Chablis Grand Cru AOC
• Type : White wine
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape variety : Chardonnay (100 %)
• Alcohol : Not specified
• Ageing : 20 months, 40 % in barrels for 5 to 6 months on fine lees, remainder in small stainless-steel tanks
• Bottle size : Not specified
• Cellaring : 2032 to 2045
• Serving temperature : 12 to 14 °C