2021 CHABLIS, Domaine Bernard Defaix. Burgundy, France

All the vineyards are run on sustainable practices, and they are moving over fully to organic farming in the next few years. Their Chablis comes from 12has of mixed blocks of Chardonnay all grown on the classical Kimmeridge clay chalky soil.

100% Chardonnay

Domaine Bernard Defaix is a family owned and run Chablis house (they also own land in Rully) which makes some of the most exciting wines in the commune.

Founded by Bernard Defaix in 1959 with 2ha they have grown to over 27has today with the fourth generation directly involved. Didier Defaix over sees all the viticulture, and his son Sylvain is the winemaker; with Didier’s wife Hélene in charge of the commercial operations.

2021 was a challenging vintage with devastating spring frosts losing over 75% of their crop, but harvest was saved by a superb end to August and most of September (harvest date was the 21^st).  The much smaller crop produced grapes with intense fruit flavours and high but ripe acidity. All the Chablis was fermented in stainless steel, then aged on lees for 6 months.

This wine is ready to drink now but can be kept and enjoyed over the next 2-3 years.