A benchmark Premier Cru with Grand Cru character, the 2021 Montée de Tonnerre combines power, structure, and finesse. The wine opens with restrained floral and citrus notes that evolve into layers of grapefruit, white peach, and oyster shell. Sourced from all three key sectors—Chapelot (elegance), Pied d’Aloup (marl richness), and Montée de Tonnerre proper (weight)—this cuvée is saline, zesty, and built for aging. While still reserved aromatically, its concentration and layered depth promise a beautiful evolution through 2045.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Oct 17, 2022
Drink: 2025-2030

Fevre's Montée de Tonnerre comes from all three sectors. Seguier notes that Pied d'Aloup has the highest marn content, Montée de Tonnerre adds weight and the old Chapelot vines (planted in 1936) add finesse. More closed on the nose. Weighty, concentrated, persistent. Saline notes. Will be a great gourmand wine. Some white flower notes, lots of zesty orange and grapefruit on the palate with a nice touch of white peach. For long ageing.
Sweetness: Dry
Closure: Cork
Body: Medium
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

The Wine Advocate | RP 93+
Published: Sep 7, 2023
Drink: 2025-2045

The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is a lovely classic, unwinding in the glass to reveal aromas of white flowers, citrus zest, crisp green apple and oyster shells, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive palate that's pure, layered and structured, concluding with a penetrating finish. This will reward a bit of patience. 

The 2020 vintage marked the first year of official organic conversion for 78-hectare Domaine William Fèvre, though it's actually the 15th year the estate has been practicing organic, so the team took the challenges of the 2021 vintage in their stride. When I asked Didier Séguier how he managed to farm such a large estate this way, when so many smaller producers balk at the challenge, he explained that part of the secret has been fully engaging the Fèvre team: everyone is trained to spot signs of mildew and disease and share them on a team WhatsApp group; there are even prizes for the most vigilant employees. The approach certainly seems to have paid off in 2021, in any case, delivering wines with an old-school aesthetic but contemporary precision and charm; and the fact that they are bottled under Diam means that their gracious evolution in the cellar is assured. While the 2021s can't quite match the sheer concentration and intensity of 2019 and 2020, their classical profiles and clear differentiation by site will delight Chablis purists.

Williamfevre.fr

With a geological structure similar to the Grands Crus and excellent exposure, this terroir is considered one of the best Premiers Crus. The wine is both full and rich yet can also show its mineral and floral characteristics.

Tasting
Complex bouquet with floral and fruity aromas, and intense mineral notes. Structured palate in its youth, becoming more subtle and elegant and developing ripe fruit notes.
Food and wine pairing
Fish, shellfish and other seafood, grilled or in a cream sauce. Poultry and white meat, grilled or in a cream sauce.