Domaine William Fevre Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys" 2022
(Burgundy, France) - [DM 93] [JM 91-93] [VM 91-93] [BH 91]

About the Winemaker:
William Fèvre declared his first vintage in 1959, marking the birth of the domaine and a pivotal moment in the production of quality-focused Chablis. Garnering over 250 years of family experience working the land in this region, Fèvre established himself as a winemaker with a modest seven hectares of vineyards. Slowly and methodically, the domaine acquired new vineyard sites in Chablis over the years, all situated in historic terroirs. At the same time, it became synonymous with technological advancement and led the charge of environmental stewardship, embracing organic viticulture since 2000 (certification commencing from the 2023 vintage), and biodynamic practices initiated in 2010 across 32 hectares.

The vineyards boast an impressive average vine age ranging from 30 to 60 years, with some dating back to the 1940s. Aging of the crus takes place for 13 to 14 months, with 40 to 50% of the harvest spending 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, without new oak.

Today, Domaine William Fèvre is not only one of the most influential landowners in Chablis — possessing an impressive 70 hectares of vineyards (all vinified separately) — they also indisputably have the greatest holdings, including 15.9 hectares classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. A new chapter began for the estate in 2024, when it was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owned by the esteemed Lafite family.

About this Wine:
William Fèvre Premier Cru Les Lys is a refined expression of the Vaillons climat, drawn from a 0.99-hectare plot once owned by French royalty. Located on an eastern-facing slope with clay soils over Kimmeridgian limestone, this site yields wines of notable elegance and finesse. Gentle handling in the cellar via gravity flow, light pressing, and fermentation on fine lees preserves purity and detail. The wine ages 13 to 14 months, with partial élevage in older French oak. It offers a floral, mineral-driven bouquet, supple texture, and a graceful, lingering finish.

A warm and dry vintage, 2022 resulted in a controlled harvest without excessive yields. The wines have a hallmark of high acidity and complementary fleshy, ripe flavors. This wine offers a soft palate which is charming and elegant with a fine bouquet of fruit, flowers, and minerals.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
“With its particular northerly exposition within Vaillons, you would expect Les Lys to be very successful in 2022. And it is. A fine blend of freshness allied to sun-drenched ripeness, with a pronounced mineral finish. A great example of the distinctive terroir of Les Lys. Long, mineral, salty tail.” – Andy Howard MW (Oct 2023)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Always one of the more quintessentially Chablisien wines in the range, the 2022 Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys offers up notes of citrus oil, white flowers, wet stones and oyster shell, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and pure palate that's suave but incisive, concluding with a saline finish." - William Kelley (Mar 2025)

91-93 Points - Jasper Morris' Inside Burgundy:
“Just assembled so cloudy, as all the lees remain in suspension. The bouquet is less fine but shows nonetheless a wealth of pure white fruit which is attractive. Lots of marl with a mix of portlandian and kimmeridgian soils, the former adding the body, the latter leaving the lick of salinity. Good length. Drink from 2026-2034” (June 2023)

91-93 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2022 Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru comes from north/northwest-facing vines. This complex and detailed bouquet of yellow fruit, lemon verbena and lemon thyme is quite minerally and focused. The well-balanced palate has a fine acidic spine, more sapidity than the Vaillons and a persistent and detailed finish as it fans out. Superb.” – Neal Martin (Sep 2023)

91 Points - Allen Meadows' BurgHound: 
“There is a certain coolness to the otherwise ripe aromas of apple, pear, sea breeze and quinine. The succulent and unusually rich middleweight flavors are also nicely refined while flashing a bead of minerality on the youthfully austere, balanced and lilting finale that could use better depth. This citrusy effort is really quite good and one that should benefit markedly from a few years of keeping.” (Oct 2024)