DANIEL-ETIENNE DEFAIX Chablis 1er Cru 'Cote de Lechet' 2014 Bottle

Description

From one of the most distinctive terroirs in Chablis, crafted by a domaine with roots dating back to the sixteenth century. The Cote de Lechet is a remarkably steep Premier Cru characterised by its impoverished, stony Kimmeridgian limestone soils and sunny southeastern exposure. This unique environment produces wines of tremendous power, piercing minerality and exceptional potential for ageing.

What truly sets Defaix apart is his fiercely traditional, patient approach to winemaking. Unlike most modern producers, Defaix holds his Premier Cru wines in his cellars for often a decade before commercial release. The wine undergoes prolonged ageing on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks, with absolutely no oak influence. This extended yeast contact acts as a natural antioxidant while enriching the wine with extraordinary textural depth and autolytic complexity.

The 2014 vintage, widely celebrated as a benchmark classic year in Chablis, shines brilliantly here. In the glass it reveals a luminous, deep golden colour. The bouquet is a captivating interplay of fresh citrus, bruised orchard fruit, honeycomb and toasted brioche, underscored by an unmistakable crushed stone minerality. On the palate the wine delivers a striking contrast. It is voluminous, creamy and gently mature, yet electrified by the racy, laser focused acidity typical of the 2014 vintage. Flavours of lemon curd, chamomile and white mushroom build toward a seemingly endless, mouth watering finish defined by a crystalline, saline snap. This is mature Chablis at its absolute peak.