Wines Chablis Premier Cru Nathalie & Gilles Fèvre - Vaulorent - 2023

Viniou Reviews

The Nathalie & Gilles Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru “Vaulorent” 2023 stands as a superb representative of its prestigious appellation. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay—the only permitted grape in Chablis—this Premier Cru comes from the revered “Vaulorent” climat, a site known for producing wines of finesse and tension. The 2023 vintage is notable for its purity and expressive freshness, reflecting a growing season marked by balanced ripening and cool nights that preserved natural acidity. Vinification focuses on highlighting the unique terroir, often involving stainless steel tanks to retain the crystalline character of Chardonnay, though a touch of oak may be used for added complexity.

Chablis is situated in the northern reaches of Burgundy, where the vines benefit from a semi-continental climate presenting cold winters and warm, sometimes capricious, summers. This climate, combined with the region’s legendary Kimmeridgian limestone soils laced with fossilised marine creatures, imparts a marked minerality and signature flinty character to the wines. Chablis’s winemaking history dates back to at least the 12th century, with the Vaulorent lieu-dit especially prized for its position adjacent to the hallowed Grand Cru slopes, lending the wines both concentration and elegance.

When it comes to food pairings, this Chablis Premier Cru is exceptionally versatile. Its lively acidity and subtle salinity make it a classic match for seafood—think freshly shucked oysters, crab, or scallops in a light citrus butter. It will also elevate dishes like grilled sole or pike-perch, chicken with creamy morel sauce, or a goat’s cheese tart. For a regional treat, try pairing it with Burgundy’s époisses cheese, ideally when the wine has had a year or two in bottle to soften its youthful edge.

For optimal tasting, serve this Chablis Premier Cru chilled but not too cold—between 10-12°C. This allows the wine’s aromatics and subtle nuances of white flowers, citrus, and wet stone to unfold. If possible, decant it for thirty minutes to enhance its precision and texture, especially in its youth. This is a wine that promises both immediate pleasure and rewarding evolution over five to eight years in the cellar.