Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet 2021 (6 Bottles) Chablis, France

$531.00 GST Included

AUSTRALIA WIDE SHIPPING INCLUDED

Screwcap. Much like the rest of Burgundy, Chablis’ finest vineyards have (for better or for worse) become synonymous with a symbolic grower. The Defaix cellars sit just below the vines of the bony Léchet hill, in the tiny hamlet of Milly, and Domaine Bernard Defaix is the largest holder of the 1er Cru vineyard Côte de Léchet and ergo its emblematic vigneron (and the site’s only certified organic grower).

Some 10% of this wine (less than normal), was fermented and matured in old, neutral barrels, which previously housed Defaix’s reserve Léchet bottling. The rest was raised in glass-lined tanks. This site has absolutely killed it in 2018. It opens with lifted, lemon rind and yellow orchard fruit, leading to a layered palate that is nonetheless shot through with chalky, mineral freshness. Generosity is shaped impeccably by cool acidity and a delicious, quinine-like finish. This is superb white Burgundy.

“Pale lemon colour. Bring on the white stones. A little touch of seaweed, this has tightened up in bottle says Didier. I really like this. Brilliantly racy, ripe enough fruit of course but the terroirs is shining through giving the dry saline finish after white fruit.” 92 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

“A ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic nose is comprised by notes of citrus, ginger, mineral reduction and yellow orchard fruit that are set off by a subtle application of oak. The round, generous and intense flavors display good minerality and drive while delivering fine length on the powerful, mouth coating and serious finale.”

90 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound

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Description

THE DOMAIN, A FAMILY BUSINESS

Fourth generation from a family of vine-growers, Bernard Defaix started with 2 ha in 1959. From this period, a method to protect the vineyard against spring frost was discovered. Thanks to this, the vine-growers could be sure to have a minimum of harvest every year and so they began to develop stable trade markets.

The two sons of Bernard have been managing the domain since twenty years or so.

Sylvain is in charge of the vinification, the ageing, the bottling and the preparation of orders.
Didier takes care of the vineyard and the general management of the domain.
Helene, Didier’s wife, looks after the administrative and the commercial part.

So, from the vine to the final customer, the family looks after all the operations!

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