Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2022 is a supple, expressive village Chablis that Wine Spectator ranked No. 65 in its Top 100 Wines of 2024. Expect peach, apple and lemon with a salty, shellfish edge. Andy Howard MW rated it 93 POINTS for Decanter, and it is drinking well now.
In the glass it shows a refined nose of citrus, white-fleshed fruit and flowers.
It is a good weekend wine to open now, and a great match for oysters or grilled fish.
The 2022 harvest began on 31 August, with the grapes in perfect health, according to Domaine William Fèvre.
What it tastes like
The wine has a fresh, supple palate with a touch of flint. The mineral thread typical of Chablis runs right through to a clean, precise finish. It is harmonious and ready to enjoy.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh
- Oak: Only 5 to 10% sees older French oak barrels, so the fruit and minerality lead
- Style: Supple, fresh, classic Chablis
Food to enjoy this with
- Fresh oysters
- Grilled fish
- Prawns, mussels and other seafood
- Goat's cheese
- Light chicken dishes
- Sushi and sashimi, where the wine's salinity suits the clean, delicate fish
Who makes it
William Fèvre founded the Domaine in 1959 with 7 hectares, building on more than 250 years of family winegrowing in Chablis. It is now the largest owner of Grand Cru vineyards in the region, with 70 hectares spread over 90 separate plots. In January 2024 it joined the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) family, and Didier Séguier, winemaker since 1998, still runs the cellar.
This wine comes from 46.8 hectares of Chardonnay on both sides of the river Serein, much of it planted next to the Premier Crus. The soils are Kimmeridgian marl and clay-limestone, full of minerals and fossilised oyster shells, which give Chablis its mineral character and freshness.
The grapes are moved by gravity and pressed gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, and fermentations start naturally. The wine is made in small stainless steel tanks, with 5 to 10% in French oak barrels averaging 6 years old, and aged for 10 to 12 months. Domaine William Fèvre was one of the first Chablis estates to gain HVE3 environmental certification, in 2014, and most of its vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
About the vintage
Domaine William Fèvre reports that 2022 began with a mild, very dry winter. Bud burst came in the last week of March, a few days later than average, which proved lucky as frost and cold followed soon after. Flowering at the end of May went well, and the vines quickly ran 10 days ahead of average, giving thick-skinned, juicy grapes.
Charles Curtis MW rates 2022 at 4.5 out of 5 for Decanter. He notes that August was so hot the vines shut down, which preserved acidity and gives the wines a seductive balance.
Critic scores and ratings
- 93 POINTS – Andy Howard MW – Decanter
"Distinct shellfish notes. Plenty of volume, a fleshy sunny character on the palate, freshened by lingering salinity to finish."
- 92 POINTS – Bruce Sanderson – Wine Spectator. Ranked No. 65 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024.
When to drink it
It is drinking well now. Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator suggests drinking it now and through to 2028.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Domaine William Fèvre |
| Wine: |
Chablis |
| Vintage: |
2022 |
| Variety: |
100% Chardonnay |
| Region: |
Chablis, Burgundy |
| Country: |
France |
| Classification: |
Chablis AOC |
| Alcohol: |
12.5% |
| Oak: |
5 to 10% in French oak barrels averaging 6 years old |
| Fermentation: |
Small stainless steel tanks, with natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations |
| Cellaring: |
Now to 2028 (Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator) |
Where to buy
The Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2022 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines.
Questions we are often asked
Was William Fèvre Chablis 2022 in the Wine Spectator Top 100?
Yes. Wine Spectator ranked it No. 65 in its Top 100 Wines of 2024, with a score of 92.
Is William Fèvre Chablis 2022 ready to drink?
Yes. It is drinking well now, and Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator suggests it will keep through to 2028.
Is William Fèvre Chablis oaked?
Only lightly. Just 5 to 10% of the wine is made in older French oak barrels, and the rest in stainless steel.
What food goes with William Fèvre Chablis 2022?
Oysters, grilled fish, seafood, goat's cheese and light chicken dishes all suit it.
Where can I buy Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2022?
The Winery sells Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2022 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
