Domaine William Fevre 'Les Preuses' Grand Cru 2024

The vintage
2024 was a vintage that left a lasting impression. After a particularly mild February, March continued to be mild with very wet conditions. April brought two nights of frost and a first episode of hail, which was not serious. A very heavy hailstorm struck the Chablis vineyards on 1 May, severely affecting the left bank. May and June saw very fluctuating temperatures, which slowed down flowering, while alternating rain and thunderstorms led to high mildew pressure. Hail struck again at the end of July, giving way to a drier and warmer August. September began mildly, allowing the grapes to ripen. The harvest began on 20 September in good conditions. The quality was there, but this succession of climatic hazards had a significant impact on volumes.

Location
Appellation of 11.44 hectares located on the heights of the Côte des Grands Crus. Its name likely originates from a deformation of the word “perreuse” (stone), which referred to the old Roman road that passed at the foot of the current terroir. The wines are long and elegant.

Terroir
The soil is composed of dense and compact clay resting on a limestone slab, making it a Grand Cru with exceptional aging potential. The plots cover 2.55 hectares, representing 22% of the total appellation, with a southwest exposure for the northernmost plots and south/southeast for the others.

Winemaking
Application of the principle of gravity to avoid any pumping, which could alter the quality of the wine. Short-duration pneumatic pressing (1.5 to 2 hours) for a delicate separation between the solid and liquid parts of the grapes. The vinifications are carried out in stainless steel vats. Aging lasts 19 months, including 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels for 35% of the blend. The aging process finishes in small stainless steel tanks.