Burgundy Road Trip Part 3
Without a doubt, Burgundy is a place that ignites the senses. And, of course, no trip to Burgundy would be complete without visiting Chablis. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the highly respected William Fevre winery. Alain Marcuello, who greeted me in the tasting room, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and guided me through tasting some of their most impressive wines. The winery was founded in 1957 by William Fevre, and since 1998 it has been owned by Champagne Henriot. It has 78 hectares of vineyards, all located in the Chablis region, with 15 hectares classified as Grand Cru and 47 hectares as Premier Cru.
The winery is dedicated to producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of Chablis. The wines are vinified and matured in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, depending on the style of the wine. Some of the most popular wines produced by William Fevre include the Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, and Chablis Premier Cru Montmains. These wines are known for their complexity, minerality, and crisp acidity.
Chablis Kimmeridgian soils are rich in marine fossils.
The 2019 Petit Chablis is pale lemon, and the nose is bursting with delightful lemon, peach, and melon aromas, complemented by a hint of white blossoms. On the palate, you’ll be blown away by its medium-bodied texture and perfectly balanced high acidity. The flavours of melon, peach, and lemon are intense, and it finishes with a satisfying medium-length finish. Honestly, it’s surprising just how good it is! 87/100
The 2019 Chablis Domaine is amazing! At first glance, its medium lemon colour catches the eye, but the nose is where it really shines. It’s a lot more complex and layered than you might expect, with lovely notes of lemon, minerality, and spice. On the palate, you’ll experience a medium-bodied, slightly buttery texture that’s perfectly balanced with high acidity. The flavours of white blossoms, lemon, and wet stone are concentrated and intense, leaving a lasting impression. 90/100
The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons is a true beauty! The soil base differs from other Chablis crus, and it’s more limestone than clay. Despite being far from the sea, it smells just like the ocean, with lovely salt, lemon, ripe melon, and flower aromas that exude elegance from every pore. On the palate, it is a full-bodied, high-acidity wine that’s perfectly balanced. The complexity of citrus, stone fruit, and spice flavours will make your taste buds dance happily. It’s persistent and prolonged, leaving you with a lasting impression that you won’t soon forget. 93/100
The 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains comes from a unique terroir of stony terrain, producing a wine with striking mineral aromas, incredible power, and impressive ageing potential. It has a pale lemon colour and on the nose is absolutely explosive, bursting with minerality, lemon, apple, and melon. It’s so complex and delightful that you won’t be able to resist sticking your nose into the glass for another sniff. But the real magic happens on the palate - this full-bodied wine has a buttery texture and persistence that will leave you wanting more. You’ll taste ripe apricot, kiwi, gunpowder, and high acidity, all coming together in an endless, complex, and honeyed aftertaste. This is a Chablis that’s truly in a league of its own. 94/100
The 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent comes from a Climat that is an extension of the slopes where the Grands Crus are, with only a tiny path separating them. It has a pale lemon colour and, on the nose, is complex with ripe stone fruits, clove, nutmeg, and the signature minerality that Chablis is known for. However, it may need a bit of airing to show itself fully. It’s full-bodied with high, well-integrated acidity that’s perfectly balanced. The wine is rich and concentrated yet has remarkable freshness and persistence. The aftertaste is long and complex. 92/100
Chablis Grand Cru point of view.
The 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses wine is named after the ancient Roman road “Perreuse” (stone), which ran below the current vineyard. Made for ageing with its dense, compact, clay-rich soil resting on a limestone bed, Les Preuses is a true masterpiece.
It has a medium, bright lemon colour, and it is shiny at the beginning and needs airing to open up. But once it does overflow with lemon, spice, minerality and tropical notes. It is full-bodied with high acidity and nice balance and has intense flavours of pineapple, banana and melon together with peach and wet stone. The aftertaste is medium. 90/100
The 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros “Côte Bouguerots” is a true masterpiece of winemaking, with grapes grown on the steepest slopes of the Bougros sub-climat. The medium lemon colour is just a prelude to the wonders hidden inside this bottle. So take a deep breath and let the aromas of intense spices, melon, pineapple, peach, and flint fill your senses. The palate is a rich experience, with high acidity and deep flavours of lemon, tropical fruits, and minerality that will leave you speechless. The finish is long and complex, a true testament to the excellent quality of this wine. Although already remarkable, this wine has a great ageing potential that will allow it to develop even further in the coming years. So if you want to experience the full character of this wine, give it some time to mature. 95/100
The majestic 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos is the crème de la crème of Chablis Grand Crus, renowned for its rich history and outstanding terroir. The Climat’s southerly aspect and deep clay soil resting on a limestone bed produce a unique flavour profile with spicy notes typical of this Grand Cru. In addition, it boasts a deep and bright lemon colour and is super complex with a symphony of aromas varying from flint and sage to oregano and lemon and even hints of clove and melon. But the palate is where this wine truly shines. Despite being medium-bodied, it is rich and powerful, with an incredibly silky, divine texture. The balance is excellent, and the aftertaste is endless. This wine is simply perfect in every way! 98/100
Last but not least, the 2012 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros! This Climat is situated at the very western end of the Grands Crus area and enjoys a southwest exposure. The result is a wine full of character and richness. It has a deep lemon colour and a symphony of aromas, with lemon and stone fruits leading the way, followed by a sprinkle of chalk powder. It has aged remarkably well with no hint of oxidation. It is medium-bodied yet rich and powerful with an exceptionally buttery texture. It has evolved so nicely that secondary aromas like clove and nutmeg have started developing. Intense minerality and excellent balance with the aftertaste lasting for minutes make this wine outstanding! 95/100
Right opposite the tasting room is the restaurant Le Maufox, where we had a marvellous lunch. We started with a plate of escargots, which were cooked to perfection and served with a garlicky butter sauce that melted in my mouth. The asparagus was crisp and fresh, with a drizzle of vinaigrette that enhanced the vegetable’s natural flavour. For the main course, we ordered the sea bass, which was expertly cooked and served with a creamy sauce that complemented the delicate flavours of the fish. The meal was rounded off with a dessert of fresh berries and cream, which was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
Arriving in Paris later that evening, I felt exhausted but happy with the memories created on my road trip to Burgundy. Our road trip was an unforgettable experience, filled with fantastic food, wine, and breathtaking landscapes. It was a journey of discovery, where every turn brought new surprises and delights.
