Bernard Defaix Chablis Cote de Lechet 1er Cru Reserve 2018 (750ML)

92 JM / 91 BH / 90 VM

Pale lemon colour. Bring on the white stones. A little touch of seaweed, this has tightened up in bottle says Didier. I really like this. Brilliantly racy, ripe enough fruit of course but the terroirs is shining through giving the dry saline finish after white fruit. Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy

Note: from 50+ year old vines aged in 40% oak though none of it is new
Tasting note: Moderate wood sets off notes of white flowers and plenty of citrus influences. The wood can also be found on the rich, bold and muscular flavors where a distinct minerality adds lift to the sappy and markedly dry finish. This presently linear effort will need to add depth, but the underlying material is so good that it should be able to do that. Worth checking out. Outstanding - Allen meadows - Burghound

The grapes come from one of our oldest vineyards, planted in 1955 by Bernard Defaix and exceptionally well exposed to the sun (S-SE).
This “cuvée” is partially fermented in oak barrels. Half of the wine is fermented in barrels and remains for 12 months on fine lees with regular "batonnage". After tasting, this wine aged in barrels is blended with the same“cuvée” that has been aged in stainless steel tanks. The final blend is bottled 18 months after the harvest. This “cuvée” Reserve conveys all of the Côte de Lechet's power. The bouquet marries floral elegance with the mineral intensity of the terroir. The palette is characterised by roundness, plenitude, richness and length. Excellent when served with salmon or other fish delicacies. Domaine Bernard Defaix

The 2018 Chablis Côte de Léchet 1er Cru is gracious and quite appealing. Mint, wild flowers and a touch of tropical fruit give this racy, aromatic 1er Cru its distinctive personality. This airy, refined 1er Cru will drink well upon release.-- Antonio Galloni – Vinous Media