DOMAINE DANIEL-ETIENNE DEFAIX Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillon' 2013 Bottle (los)

Description

IN BRIEF
Domaine Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2013 is a precise, nervy right bank Chablis that marries austerity with mineral clarity. Pale gold with an amber rim, it opens with green apple, lemon peel and pear, then unfurls wet stone, oyster shell and a flinty struck match note reflecting Kimmeridgian limestone. Airing adds acacia, chamomile and a hint of beeswax. Medium bodied with a taut saline spine and bright acidity, citrus and orchard fruits remain angular and focused, with chalky texture and a faint almond bitterness that gives tension. Modest weight belies notable persistence as a saline seam carries flavours to a long stony finish with a cool herbal lift and a whisper of toasted brioche. Approachable now with gentle decanting. Drink 2026 to 2036.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2013 is a precise and nervy expression of an exposed right bank site, showing the austerity and mineral clarity that cooler vintages tend to produce. The colour is pale gold with a faint amber thread at the rim, indicating early tertiary development while retaining a fresh core. The nose opens with green apple, lemon peel and pear, then unfurls a pronounced mineral spectrum of wet stone, oyster shell and a flinty struck match note that speaks directly of Kimmeridgian limestone. With airing there are delicate floral hints of acacia and chamomile alongside a subtle beeswax scent that adds complexity without softening the wine's incisive character.

On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a taut, saline driven spine and bright acidity that keeps the fruit angular and focused. Primary citrus and orchard fruit flavours are articulated with chalky texture and a faint almond bitterness on the mid palate that provides tension. There is modest weight compared with warmer vintages yet notable persistence, the saline seam carrying flavours through to a long stony finish where a cool herbal lift and a whisper of toasted brioche from lees contact linger. Oak influence is discreet and well judged, used sparingly to support structure while preserving the wine's linear purity.

The 2013 vintage in Chablis was cool and variable, yielding wines of high acidity and pronounced mineral intensity rather than overt ripeness. At Vaillon this has produced a wine that rewards attention and patience rather than immediate indulgence. Approachable now with gentle decanting to open the aromatics, the 2013 will continue to develop tertiary nuance over the medium term and should drink well through 2026 to 2036, peaking 2028 to 2032. Serve well chilled with oysters, scallops, sole meuniere or goat cheese to complement the wine's saline minerality and bright citrus clarity.

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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.