Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2023 is a fresh, mineral village Chablis from the largest Grand Cru owner in the region, and a clear introduction to the Domaine's style. Expect crisp orchard fruit, chalk and a salty, seashell edge. It was rated 92 POINTS by James Suckling.
In the glass it shows apple blossom and freshly sliced pear, with a refined, floral nose.
It is a good weekend wine to open now, and a great match for oysters or grilled fish.
From the 2023 vintage, the Domaine changed its label and added a wax capsule to the bottle, Didier Séguier told Allen Meadows of Burghound.
What it tastes like
The wine has citrus and white-fleshed fruit, with a fresh, supple palate. The mineral character typical of Chablis runs right through to a clean, precise finish. It's delicious.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh and crisp
- Oak: Only 5 to 10% sees older French oak barrels, so the fruit and minerality lead
- Style: Fresh, mineral, classic Chablis
Food to enjoy this with
- Fresh oysters
- Grilled fish
- Prawns and other seafood
- Goat's cheese
- Light chicken dishes
- Fish and chips, where the wine's crisp acidity cuts through the batter
Who makes it
William Fèvre founded the Domaine in 1959 with 7 hectares, building on more than 250 years of family winegrowing in Chablis. It is now the largest owner of Grand Cru vineyards in the region, with 70 hectares spread over 90 separate plots. In January 2024 it joined the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) family, and Didier Séguier, winemaker since 1998, still runs the cellar.
This wine comes from 46.8 hectares of Chardonnay on both sides of the river Serein, much of it planted next to the Premier Crus and farmed with the same care as the Domaine's top sites. The soils are Kimmeridgian marl and clay-limestone, full of minerals and fossilised oyster shells, which give Chablis its mineral character and freshness.
For the 2023 vintage, the grapes were moved by gravity and pressed gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. The wine was fermented in small stainless steel tanks, with 5 to 10% in French oak barrels averaging 6 years old, and aged for 10 to 12 months. Domaine William Fèvre was one of the first Chablis estates to gain HVE3 environmental certification, in 2014. Most of its vineyards are farmed biodynamically, and the wines are certified organic from the 2023 vintage.
About the vintage
Domaine William Fèvre reports that 2023 began with a mild, dry winter, and April frosts did little lasting harm. A hot, dry May gave way to June storms that brought disease pressure. Harvest began in early September in high temperatures, giving generous volumes of very healthy grapes.
Charles Curtis MW rates 2023 at 4 out of 5 for Decanter. He describes a large harvest with a hot, sunny finish that delivered healthy grapes with moderate alcohol.
Critic scores and ratings
- 92 POINTS – James Suckling – JamesSuckling.com, May 2026
"Good depth of minerality goes a bit deeper and vertically here with green apples, lime, chalk and seashells. Nicely round, with subtle salinity on the medium-bodied palate before a sleek, fresh finish. Drink or hold."
When to drink it
It drinks well now. Neal Martin of Vinous suggests enjoying it through to 2032.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Domaine William Fèvre |
| Wine: |
Chablis |
| Vintage: |
2023 |
| Variety: |
100% Chardonnay |
| Region: |
Chablis, Burgundy |
| Country: |
France |
| Classification: |
Chablis AOC |
| Alcohol: |
12.5% |
| Oak: |
5 to 10% in French oak barrels averaging 6 years old |
| Fermentation: |
Small stainless steel tanks, with natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations |
| Closure: |
Diam composite cork, with a wax capsule |
| Cellaring: |
Now to 2032 (Neal Martin, Vinous) |
| Organic: |
Certified organic from the 2023 vintage |
Where to buy
The Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2023 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines.
Questions we are often asked
Is William Fèvre Chablis oaked?
Only lightly. Just 5 to 10% of the 2023 was made in French oak barrels averaging 6 years old, and the rest in stainless steel.
Is William Fèvre Chablis 2023 organic?
Yes. Domaine William Fèvre's wines are certified organic from the 2023 vintage, and most of its vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
What does William Fèvre Chablis 2023 taste like?
It shows green apple, pear, lime, chalk and seashells, with a fresh, supple palate and a clean, salty finish.
What food goes with William Fèvre Chablis?
Oysters, grilled fish, seafood, goat's cheese and light chicken dishes all work well.
Where can I buy Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2023?
The Winery sells Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 2023 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
