2021 William Fevre Vaulorent Chablis Premier 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.

Vaulorent is nearly an extension of the Grand Crus slopes, separated only by a narrow path. Located directly beside Les Preuses, its proximity to these prestigious neighbors produces powerful, mineral-rich wines.

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

100% Chardonnay. Pronounced nose of fruit and flowers, with lovely freshness and a few mineral touches. Generous palate, with lovely roundness.

Fevre's Vaulorent is just a little more precise on the nose. Seguier says it is always elegant, always fresh. Fevre's take on this renowned premier cru has an understated nose yet you can feel the power within. Lovely ripeness of fruit, but all in a very compact package at the moment. Although this is disarmingly approachable now, this will be a wine to cellar carefully, allowing all the perfectly formed components to blossom.~95 Decanter

The 2021 Vaulorent from Didier Séguier is equally fine. The nose is beautifully expressive, wafting from the glass in a blaze of pear, fresh lime, tart orange, a refined base of chalky minerality, anise, beeswax, straw and a topnote of lemon peel. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and shows off superb depth in the core, with fine soil signature and grip, vibrant acids and a long, focused and beautifully balanced finish. This could probably be drunk with great pleasure with only a couple of years’ worth of bottle age, but I would try to leave it alone in the cellar for at least three or four years and let it blossom completely. 2027-2060. ~94 John Gilman

The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent is another of the range's highlights, bursting with aromas of white flowers, sweet citrus oil, white peach and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, it's concentrated and complete, with racy acids and a saline, orange blossom-inflected finish. The 2020 vintage marked the first year of official organic conversion for 78-hectare Domaine William Fèvre, though it's actually the 15th year the estate has been practicing organic, so the team took the challenges of the 2021 vintage in their stride. When I asked Didier Séguier how he managed to farm such a large estate this way, when so many smaller producers balk at the challenge, he explained that part of the secret has been fully engaging the Fèvre team: everyone is trained to spot signs of mildew and disease and share them on a team WhatsApp group; there are even prizes for the most vigilant employees. The approach certainly seems to have paid off in 2021, in any case, delivering wines with an old-school aesthetic but contemporary precision and charm; and the fact that they are bottled under Diam means that their gracious evolution in the cellar is assured. While the 2021s can't quite match the sheer concentration and intensity of 2019 and 2020, their classical profiles and clear differentiation by site will delight Chablis purists.~94 Wine Advocate

William Fèvre is the largest owner of this Kimmeridgian-rich vineyard with 3 ha 60. This opens with an attractive chalk and spice nose. It leads to a ripe citrus palate focused by bracing acidity. There is excellent fruit depth and integration. Yet again, Vaulorent behaves like a Grand Premier Cru!~94 Tim Atkin, Master of Wine

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