2018 William Fevre Valmur Chablis Grand Cru

Nestled on the steep, rocky slopes along the banks of the river Serein, William Fèvre is a testament to a history spanning over one hundred and fifty million years. This terroir, characterized by clay-limestone soil, derived from the illustrious Kimmeridgian, a unique soil type found only in Chablis, Champagne, and southern England. This ancient soil, (180 million-year-old to be exact) is made up of clay and limestone that contains fossilized oyster shells. These vinous traits are the envy of winemakers worldwide yet remain unparalleled in their purity.

Since 1959, William Fèvre has been synonymous with excellence in Chablis. Taking over his family estate, William Fèvre infused new life and ambition into the vineyards, expanding the estate's holdings across Chablis' most historic terroirs. Today, Domaine William Fèvre boasts 70 hectares of prestigious vineyards, including 15.2 hectares of Grand Crus.

The vineyards are meticulously managed, with a focus on limiting yields and organic cultivation methods. Harvesting is performed by hand, ensuring only the finest grapes are selected. This rigorous attention to detail continues through every stage of winemaking, resulting in wines that truly express the essence of Chablis.

Under the guidance of Didier Séguier, awarded “White Winemaker of the Year 2018,” Domaine William Fèvre continues to push the boundaries of excellence. Séguier's commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity, alongside his impeccable winemaking skills, ensure the estate remains at the forefront of Chablis production. The estate's goal of organic certification by 2024, coupled with biodynamic practices, further underscores their dedication to preserving the terroir.

With terroir split into two parts on either side of the Sainte Vaubourg fountain path, the 2018 Valmur Chablis Grand Cru benefits from slightly deeper clay-limestone soils than other Grand Crus. This unique terroir imparts a stunning complexity and richness to the wine. The name "Valmur," reminiscent of a small valley, perfectly encapsulates the depth and character found within each bottle.

Aging: 13 to 14 months (5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels).

100% Chardonnay. Charming bouquet with astonishing fruitiness and a good mineral character. The powerful, strongly constituted palate lacks neither elegance nor roundness.

This comes from two south and south-east-facing parcels in the highest part of the Grand Cru and tends to make quite austere wines, even in vintages like 2018. Very much a wine for Chablis purists, it's taut and very pithy, with impressive focus, bite and palate length and deftly integrated 40% new wood. The dry extract adds extra backbone. ~95 Decanter

The 2018 Chablis 'Valmur' from Domaine William Fèvre is a brilliant wine in the making. The bouquet is precise, complex and perfectly ripe, offering up scents of pear, lemon, beeswax, spring flowers and a gloriously complex base of chalky soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and full-bodied, with truly stunning backend mineral drive and cut on the long, nascently complex and vibrant finish. Great juice. ~95 John Gilman

What a beautiful white with many fine, intertwined layers of fruit and acidity, delivering such a serious and subtle glass.It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy texture and a flavorful finish. Really intriguing and thought-provoking. ~95 James Suckling

The 2018 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru is quite dense, with explosive energy and tons of structure. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it needs a number of years to be at its very best. Citrus, floral and savory notes open up in the glass, but only with great reluctance; this powerful, concentrated Chablis demands time. ~93-95 James Suckling

~95 Tim Atkin, Master of Wine

Not quite star bright yet. Pale colour. Lively light yellow fruit on the nose, expressing the sunshine but there is great energy here too, a lively leaping Valmur rather than a sultry one. Very persistent, and the mineral crunch is absolutely there.~95 Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

The 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is one of the most powerful, muscular wines in the range, delivering notes of pear, citrus oil, oyster shells, beeswax and white flowers. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack, racy acids and a long, mineral finish, it should prove one of the most long-lived wines in Fèvre's portfolio this year. ~94 Wine Advocate

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