Marcel et Blanche, Fèvre-Fèvre, 'Vaulorent' Chablis Premier Cru, Burgundy, France, 2022

For many years the family was an important supplier to La Chablisienne Co-op, particularly with their extensive plantings of premier cru Fourchaume and top-quality 'village' Chablis that surrounds that prestigious vineyard. Today their modern cellars on the edge of the vineyards are run by oenologist Nathalie with her daughter Julie – an oenology graduate from Dijon University – influencing the direction of the domaine. Small stainless-steel tanks are used to preserve the personalities of each Chablis they make, and there is a light hand with the oak. Gilles meanwhile is immersed in the viticulture, more and more natural he insists, of their considerable holdings in the Les Preuses grand cru as well as Vaulorent, Mont de Milieu and Fourchaume 1er cru vineyards. Their ‘village’ Chablis is outstanding too. Fèvre wines exhibit exquisite balance between intensity of fruit and the clean, pure flavours which are the hallmarks of great Chablis. Add in the finesse and complexity from these prime sites and you can expect world-class wines.