Domaine Bernard Defaix 'Cote de Lechet' 1er Cru Chablis 2019

The 2019 vintage in Chablis had all the hallmarks of an outstanding year. Small yields of ripe fruit with excellent acidities have produced wines both generous and racy, with fleshy textures hemmed by vibrant, citrussy acidity and chalky mineral backbone. From one of the region’s very few certified organic producers, the 2019s are very ‘White Burgundy’ yet still shot through with archetypal cool, mouth-watering freshness.

''Bernard Defaix has well and truly made its mark as one of the top producers in Chablis. The wines show great purity of fruit and faithfully represent their terroirs, including Côte de Lechet. Beautifully bright and generous pear, citrus and floral fruit aromas lead to an elegant, concentrated palate with chalky acidity supporting a long, subtle finish. Delicious now but will hold over the medium term.'' 95 Points, Gourmet Traveller Wine Guide (Previous Vintage Review)

“Slightly more apparent wood treatment can be found on the citrusy aromas of iodine, acacia and white peach. The luscious, round and seductively textured medium-bodied flavours possess both excellent volume and a bracing salinity on the clean bitter lemon-inflected finale that is firm but not really austere.'' 92 Points, Allen Meadows, Burghound.com

This opens with great energy and intensity of ripe citrus and creamy lees aromatics, leading to a super juicy, mouth-watering palate of real weight with lemon pith and crunchy white peach fruit, as well as chalky, racy, mineral freshness. Terrific vitality and clarity from start to finish, with a salty, rocky, powdery close.

"Chablis fans should add the Defaix brothers to their short list of rising star."Allen Meadows, Burghound