2011 Domaine William Fevre, Chablis Grand Cru, Preuses

From two parcels of vines that total 2.55 ha, or 22% of the entire appellation. If the Côte de Bouguerots is the biggest wine in 2011 then the Preuses is arguably the most aromatically complex with a broad ranging nose of perfumed and ripe scents of oyster shell, sea water, citrus and white flowers. The silky and refined flavors are wonderfully seductive with an intense minerality to the austere, bone dry and balanced finish that exudes hints of saline and iodine. In sum, this is flat out stunning.

Wine Advocate August, 2013

The Fevre 2011 Chablis Preuses deftly combines textural creaminess with lift, clarity and refreshment, and offers luscious white peach and fresh scallop suffused with maritime minerality and tinged with kelp and peach kernel. At once soothing and stimulating, not to mention mouthwatering, the finish here plumbs oceanic depths but brings you back to the surface thirsting for another sip (if not gulp). You should be able to derive memorable pleasure from this through 2018, but I would still favor its company over the next couple of years.

eRobertParker.com August, 2012

The 2011 Chablis Les Preuses covers every corner of the palate with beautifully delineated, vibrant fruit. Despite its obvious richness, the 2011 isn’t overt, but rather a wine that impresses for its overall balance and harmony. The Preuses was racked the week prior to my visit. I won’t be surprised if it comes in at the high end of my scoring range once it is bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2014+.

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For reports and full tasting notes, go toTim Atkin MW's website.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2011 has a very refined bouquet with precise, tightly wound chalky aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is balanced but perhaps a little simple compared to its peers, touches of orange zest and apple peel with a precise but conservative finish. This is very backward, perhaps closed down at the moment, hence my parsimonious score, but the plus sign is there to indicate that I am sure it will blossom into something special.

Aged 12-15 months on fine lees in barrel. Light cedary/citrus on the nose. Dry, a little chalky, and a bit dull really. Some tension on the finish but not a lot of flavour or wow factor. (JH)