DANIEL-ETIENNE DEFAIX Chablis Vielles-Vignes 2022 Carton x 6 Bottles - PRE-RELEASE

Description

Domaine Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2022 is a vivid and textural rendition from old vine material, combining Chablis clarity with immediate approachability and a clear mineral spine. The colour is pale straw with a luminous core. The nose is fresh and inviting, opening with green apple, lemon zest and white peach, then revealing floral hints of acacia and chamomile. With gentle airing the bouquet gains complexity, showing wet stone, oyster shell and a faint struck flint note that signal the Kimmeridgian limestone influence, while a subtle brioche nuance from lees contact adds depth.

On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a dense, almost tactile texture derived from older vines and careful élevage. Primary fruit of crisp apple and citrus dominates early, balanced by a fine phenolic grip and a saline mineral seam that provides tension and drive. The mid palate broadens into white peach and pear with a touch of lemon curd, while a discreet almond bitterness lends counterpoint and keeps the profile focused. Acidity is bright and precise rather than aggressive, giving energy and length and preventing the richer textural elements from becoming heavy.

Winemaking is restrained, with carefully managed lees ageing to build texture without obscuring site clarity. The 2022 vintage overall was warmer and riper than some recent years, yet in Chablis produced wines that marry fruit ripeness with retained acidity, and this bottling shows that balance: generous in fruit but disciplined by mineral rigour.

Approachable now, the Vieilles Vignes 2022 will also reward short term cellaring as secondary notes knit with the primary fruit. Drink 2026 to 2032, peaking 2027 to 2029. Serve well-chilled with oysters, scallops, sole meunière, or grilled fish with lemon butter or goat cheese to highlight the wine’s saline minerality, textured palate, and citrus freshness.

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ABOUT DOMAINE DANIEL-ETIENNE DEFAIX
Domaine Daniel Etienne Defaix is a distinguished family owned estate in Chablis, believed to be the oldest in the appellation with origins traced back to 1610. Now run by the 14th generation of the Defaix family, Daniel Etienne Defaix took over from his father in 1978 and preserved many of the traditional methods handed down through his forebears. The domaine is noted for mature, terroir driven expressions of Chardonnay that retain clarity, minerality and balance.

Vineyards lie across village and Premier Cru sites on classic Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils. Parcels vary in aspect and soil depth, and vine age ranges from older established vines to more recent plantings introduced during renewal schemes. Viticultural practice focuses on canopy management, yield control and selective hand harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness and natural acidity. Sustainable soil care and attentive vine management support long term health and site expression.

Winemaking follows a family centred approach that blends tradition with careful modern control. Daniel Etienne preserves a legacy practice of extended ageing in tank combined with monthly batonage, a technique his grandfather and earlier generations used to protect production in difficult years and to ensure consistent stocks for sale. This prolonged lees contact contributes to textural depth and a rounded mouthfeel while preserving the primary citrus and mineral character typical of Chablis. Fermentations are temperature controlled and the domaine uses a considered mix of stainless steel and limited oak for select cuvees, particularly Premier Cru wines, to add complexity without masking freshness.

The wines are typically crisp and precise, showing citrus and stone fruit aromatics, a stony mineral thread and the capacity to age gracefully. Through continuous family stewardship, meticulous vineyard attention and a commitment to ancestral practices, Domaine Daniel Etienne Defaix offers a distinctive range of Chablis that reflects both history and place.