Chablis Domaine Fevre William, 2022

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2022 is a classic expression of cool-climate Chardonnay from one of the most respected names in the region. This is a pure, mineral-driven white that showcases the hallmark freshness and precision that Chablis lovers seek. Crafted from carefully selected vineyard sites, it offers remarkable quality and typicity at a village-level price point, making it an ideal introduction to the William Fèvre style. The unique selling point of this wine lies in its focus on tension, clarity, and terroir, with no heavy oak to mask the character of Chablis’ famous Kimmeridgian limestone soils. Distinctive for its bright acidity, chalky minerality, and clean, citrus-led profile, this 2022 bottling captures the vibrancy of a high-quality vintage. Domaine William Fèvre, founded in 1959, has been instrumental in raising Chablis’ global profile and is particularly renowned for its extensive holdings in some of the region’s best sites, including premier and grand cru vineyards.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Chablis from Domaine William Fèvre is pale straw with green reflections, signaling its youth and freshness. The nose is clean and expressive, offering notes of lemon zest, green apple, and white flowers, layered with wet stone, seashell, and a subtle saline edge that is quintessentially Chablis. On the palate, this wine is dry, crisp, and finely etched, with lively acidity that carries flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, and a hint of pear over a distinctly mineral backbone. The texture is sleek and precise, with a mouthwatering finish marked by chalk, flint, and a gentle salinity. While immediately enjoyable in its youth for its freshness and purity, this 2022 vintage also has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 3–6 years, gaining a bit more complexity and roundness with time in bottle.

Production
Domaine William Fèvre sources this Chablis from vineyards rooted in classic Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils, which are rich in marine fossils and give the wine its trademark minerality and tension. The cool northern climate of Chablis ensures a long growing season, preserving acidity and aromatic finesse. Grapes are harvested with a focus on optimal ripeness and freshness, often by hand in the domaine’s best sites, and carefully sorted to maintain quality. Vinification emphasizes purity: fermentation takes place primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit and mineral character, with a small portion sometimes matured in neutral oak for added texture but without overt oak flavor. The wine is then aged on fine lees, enhancing mouthfeel and complexity while retaining a clean, precise profile.

Food & Serving
This Chablis is a superb match for seafood and lighter, delicately flavored dishes. Think freshly shucked oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled white fish, ceviche, or simply prepared scallops. It also pairs beautifully with goat cheese, fresh cheeses, light poultry dishes, and vegetable-based starters, as well as classic French fare like moules marinières. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally at 8–10°C (46–50°F), to allow the aromatics and minerality to express themselves. Decanting is generally not necessary, but pouring the wine into a larger glass and giving it a few minutes in the glass will help it open up, especially in its first couple of years.

Producer
Domaine William Fèvre is one of Chablis’ benchmark producers, established in 1959 when William Fèvre began assembling an impressive collection of vineyard holdings across the appellation. Today, the domaine owns or manages a significant number of premier cru and grand cru parcels, giving it a broad and deep understanding of Chablis’ terroirs. With a strong commitment to sustainable and increasingly organic practices, William Fèvre focuses on expressing the purity and minerality that have made Chablis world-famous. Widely regarded as a reference estate in the region, the domaine has earned consistent critical acclaim for its precise, terroir-driven wines, from its village Chablis through to its most prestigious grand crus.