Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis 2021
Spending time in Didier and Sylvain’s company you immediately understand the energy and effort that is put into their wines, or more correctly, their vines and land.
Situated a little north of the eponymous village of Chablis the brothers have some of the best-situated vineyards in the whole of the region and their efforts to coax the best from the soil is incredible. This translates directly into the wines which are powerful, textural and capable of considerable development. Certified organic and with bio-dynamic influences, the gentle caring approach of the Defaix boys make their wines flagship examples of why Chablis is so special.
The vines are trained in such a way that they are managed sustainably and enable the grapes to reach peak levels of maturity and expression. The soils are from the Upper Jurassic period and are made up of Kimmeridgian clay. The plots are located on hillsides facing West. Yields are kept to around 50hl/ha.
Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted before being gently pressed. Fermentation is slow and takes place at 20 degrees Celsius in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees with natural yeasts. The lees are regularly moved around during the six first months of maturation then the wine is bottled 7 to 10 months after the harvest for optimum freshness.
A fine brilliant yellow colour. On the aromas, mineral notes are dominant combined with delicate touches of green apple and citrus fruit (lemon and grapefruit). The mouth is fresh and persistent.
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