Les Preuses is located at the highest point of the Grand Cru slope, and the 2020 vintage produced at Domaine William Fèvre is a white Chablis Grand Cru, a result of the site's unique topography. With clay-rich, firm soil resting atop limestone, this wine is characterized by a robust structure rather than fruit-forward aromas.
The 2020 vintage marked one of the earliest harvests on record in Burgundy. Harvesting began on the 24th of August and concluded in mid-September; following a dry summer, yields were slightly below average. Although temperatures were high, they never exceeded 40°C, and the light rainfall in August, in particular, proved very beneficial for Chablis. The result is a wine with 13% alcohol, full-bodied yet not heavy.
Fifty to sixty percent of the harvest is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels that are at least six years old. The remainder is vinified in small stainless steel tanks. It is aged on fine lees for 5-6 months to enhance its texture. While oak notes are present, they are subtle enough that one must actively seek them out to detect them.
It is best enjoyed between 2028 and 2048.
Robert Parker (95)
The 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses is, if anything, even more electric than the formidable Valmur, wafting from the glass with notions of citrus oil, freshly baked bread, oyster jus and wet stones. Full-bodied, satiny and chiseled, it's racy and intense, with a bright spine of acidity and a long, intensely saline finish.
Burghound (96)
Aromas of quinine, essence of wet stone and seashore add breadth to the nose of pear, apple and anise. Once again there is fine density and intensity to the mouth coating medium weight flavors that flash outstanding length on the bracingly saline suffused finale. This has already develop very good depth and more will also surely develop. This is potentially outstanding.
BOW (9-)
