Production Description

• Vineyard and Terroir: Domaine William Fèvre is the largest landowner in the Les Clos Grand Cru vineyard, holding 4.11 hectares across eight plots, many planted by William Fèvre’s father in 1947 and 1948. The vineyard is located on a south-facing slope in Chablis, with dense, deep clay soil resting on a limestone bed approximately 30 inches below the surface. This Kimmeridgian soil, rich in fossilized oyster shells, imparts a distinctive minerality and finesse to the wine. The parcels are situated in a cooler microclimate at the top of the hill, contributing to the wine’s complexity and aging potential.

• Winemaking: The grapes are manually harvested in small cases to avoid compression and bursting. The winery employs gravity-fed processes to minimize pumping, preserving grape quality. A brief pneumatic pressing (1.5–2 hours) gently separates solids from liquids, followed by light static settling to retain fine lees for natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. The wine is aged for 10–15 months on fine lees, with 70–80% in one-year-old French oak barrels (sourced from Maison Bouchard, averaging 5 years old) and the remainder in stainless steel to maintain freshness. The 2022 vintage was warm and dry, resulting in controlled yields with high acidity and ripe, fleshy flavors.

• Magnum Specifics: The magnum format (1.5L) enhances aging potential due to the slower oxygen exchange compared to standard bottles. While specific production numbers for magnums are not publicly disclosed, Domaine William Fèvre’s meticulous approach ensures that magnums are crafted with the same care as standard bottles, often reserved for premium allocations.

Food Pairings

• The 2022 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos is a structured, complex wine with fruity, floral, spicy, and mineral notes, making it versatile for food pairings. Recommended pairings include:
  • Seafood: Grilled or poached shellfish (e.g., lobster, scallops, or Saint-Jacques with leek fondue), oysters, or grilled seafood. The wine’s minerality and salinity complement the briny, delicate flavors of seafood.

• Poultry: Chicken in a cream sauce, which pairs well with the wine’s rich texture and subtle oak influence.

• Other Dishes: Andouillette de Troye (a traditional French sausage) or poached salmon, which harmonize with the wine’s acidity and fruit profile.

• The wine’s vibrant acidity and mineral backbone make it an excellent match for dishes with creamy or buttery components, as well as those with a slight salinity.

Critics Reviews

• Specific critic reviews for the 2022 vintage of Les Clos in magnum are limited, but general reviews for the 2022 vintage and Les Clos provide insight:
  • Wine Spectator (May 30, 2024): For the 2022 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis (not specific to Les Clos), the publication noted, “Bursting with peach, apple, lemon, and flint aromas and flavors, this expressive and supple white is harmonious and ready to enjoy yet should develop well over the next five to seven years.” This suggests the vintage’s quality extends to Les Clos, known for greater complexity.

• General Notes on Les Clos: Critics consistently praise Les Clos for its aromatic complexity (citrus, white peach, oyster brine, limestone minerality) and structured palate with aging potential. Bloomberg’s Elin McCoy highlighted William Fèvre’s Les Clos as a standout after a 2024 tasting with winemaker Didier Séguier, emphasizing its power and complexity.

• 2021 Vintage as Reference: For the 2021 Les Clos, John Gilman gave 96 points, describing it as “beautifully complex, well balanced, and poised, with a full-bodied format, great depth, brisk acids, and laser-like focus” (drink 2028–2065). Neil Martin noted its “powerful bouquet” and “wonderful salinity” with “great potential.” These qualities are likely amplified in the robust 2022 vintage.

• The 2022 Les Clos in magnum is expected to share these traits, with critics likely to emphasize its density, minerality, and long-term aging potential, especially given the format’s suitability for extended cellaring.

Drink Window

• The 2022 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos in magnum is likely to have a broad drinking window due to its structure and the magnum format’s slower aging. Based on similar vintages:
  • Optimal Drinking: 2028–2040. The wine is approachable now (2025) with decanting but will develop greater complexity with age, peaking around 2030–2035. Magnums often extend the drinking window by a few years compared to standard bottles due to slower maturation. (referencing 2021 vintage, adjusted for 2022 and magnum format)

• Long-Term Potential: With proper storage (cool, dark, stable conditions), it could remain vibrant until 2045 or beyond, as Les Clos is known for its exceptional aging potential.

Serving Temperature

• Recommended serving temperature is 10–12°C (50–54°F). This range highlights the wine’s crisp acidity, minerality, and fruit without muting its complex aromas. Serve slightly chilled but avoid over-cooling, which can suppress the bouquet. Allow the magnum to warm slightly in the glass to fully express its floral and spicy notes. (general Chablis serving guidance)