A benchmark expression of Chablis Grand Cru, the 2020 Valmur is vibrant, concentrated, and saline-driven. Its bouquet layers ripe stone fruit, lemon oil, oyster shell, and struck match. The palate is electric and deeply mineral, with laser-focused acidity and a searingly persistent finish. Built for long aging, this wine embodies finesse and power in equal measure, and marks a strong start to Fèvre’s official organic era.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95+
Published: Jul 21, 2022
Drink: 2030-2050

Unwinding in the glass with aromas of peach, lemon oil, freshly baked bread, oyster shell and struck match, Fevre's 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, with a racy, electric profile and a searingly saline, intensely penetrating finish of striking persistence. This is a terrific Valmur that will merit at least a decade's patience to reveal all its considerable potential. 

The 2020 vintage makes 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. Didier Séguier reported that the year's challenges were twofold: having to pick harvest dates with unerring precision, and the necessity to sort out sunburnt grapes. The results, however, are once again exceptional, and it's hard to think of any of Chablis's larger estates that can match Fèvre for consistency and quality across the board. The 2020s, as ever bottled under Diam, are certainly built to evolve gracefully, but they will also show their cards sooner than the spectacular but hyper-concentrated 2019s.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Oct 11, 2021
Drink: 2022-2030

Didier Séguier of William Fèvre says there is a distinct line of Marne soil here, as in Butteaux and Vaulorent. Very precise, showing a touch of orange zest on the palate, all kept in check by vibrant acidity and minerality. A rounded, complete Valmur with a long, saline finish. Closure: Cork
Body: Medium
Oak: Lightly Oaked
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17
Published: Oct 1, 2022
Drink: 2025-2035

Cask sample. Lightly smoky nose – much tighter than the Bougros Côte Bouguerots, and with fine acidity. A model of restraint.

Williamfevre.fr

VINEYARD
With its terroir split into two parts on either side of the Sainte Vaubourg fountain path, it has slightly deeper clay-limestone soils than the other Grands Crus. Its shape is reminiscent of a small valley hence the name Valmur.
GRAPE VARIETY: Chardonnay
GROUND OF THE APPELLATION: Limestone and clay
DOMAIN SURFACE: 1.15 hectares
APPELLATION SURFACE: 13.19 hectares
ORIENTATION OF THE PARCELS: South-Southeast

TASTING
TASTING NOTE: Charming bouquet with astonishing fruitiness and a good mineral character. The powerful, strongly constituted palate lacks neither elegance nor roundness.
FOOD/WINE PAIRING: Fish, shellfish and other seafood, grilled or in a cream
sauce. Poultry and white meat, grilled or in a cream sauce.
PERFECT PAIRING: Caviar jelly oysters.
SERVING TEMPERATURE: Between 12C to 14C

KNOW-HOW
HARVEST: manual.
VINIFICATION: Use of the principle of gravity so as to avoid all pumping, which could harm the quality of the wine. Brief (1? - 2 hours) pneumatic pressing to obtain a gentle separation of the solid and liquid parts of the grape. Very light static settling of the juice to preserve enough fine lines so that the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation can occur naturally. The must is run into
French oak barrels (aged of 6 years in average) for 60 to 70% of the harvest. The remainder is
vinified in small stainless steel vats.
MATURING: 14 to 15 months, of which 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, for 60 to 70% of the harvest. The end of maturation occurs in small stainless steel vats.