Domaine William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru "Les Lys" 2023
(Burgundy, France) - [WA 93] [VM 91-93] [WS 91] [JM 90-92] [BH 90]

About the Winemaker:
William Fèvre declared his first vintage in 1959, marking the birth of the domaine and a pivotal moment in the production of quality-focused Chablis. Garnering over 250 years of family experience working the land in this region, Fèvre established himself as a winemaker with a modest seven hectares of vineyards. Slowly and methodically, the domaine acquired new vineyard sites in Chablis over the years, all situated in historic terroirs. At the same time, it became synonymous with technological advancement and led the charge of environmental stewardship, embracing organic viticulture since 2000 (certification commencing from the 2023 vintage), and biodynamic practices initiated in 2010 across 32 hectares.

The vineyards boast an impressive average vine age ranging from 30 to 60 years, with some dating back to the 1940s. Aging of the crus takes place for 13 to 14 months, with 40 to 50% of the harvest spending 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, without new oak.

Today, Domaine William Fèvre is not only one of the most influential landowners in Chablis — possessing an impressive 70 hectares of vineyards (all vinified separately) — they also indisputably have the greatest holdings, including 15.9 hectares classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. A new chapter began for the estate in 2024, when it was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owned by the esteemed Lafite family.

About this Wine:
William Fèvre Premier Cru Les Lys is a refined expression of the Vaillons climat, drawn from a 0.99-hectare plot once owned by French royalty. Located on an eastern-facing slope with clay soils over Kimmeridgian limestone, this site yields wines of notable elegance and finesse. Gentle handling in the cellar via gravity flow, light pressing, and fermentation on fine lees preserves purity and detail. The wine ages 13 to 14 months, with partial élevage in older French oak. It offers a floral, mineral-driven bouquet, supple texture, and a graceful, lingering finish.

The 2023 Les Lys opens with crisp aromas of lime zest, pear, white flower, stony minerality, and a hint of anise.  On the palate it is energetic and focused, with vibrant acidity, textural grip, and a saline backbone that gives lift and persistence.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
“Sourced from a north-facing site beneath forest cover with clay-rich soils, a parcel selection in Vaillons, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys is among the most quintessentially Chablisien wines in the portfolio and is harvested around a week later than the fruit that enters the Vaillons bottling. It offers aromas of oyster juice, white flowers, lemon oil and Granny Smith apple, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, incisive and pure palate that is elegant yet racy and fresh, concluding with a long, saline finish.” – Kristaps Karklins (Jan 2026)

91-93 Points - Vinous Media
“The 2023 Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru comes from a single hectare of vines. Lime, red apple and touches of orange pith and peach skin develop in the glass. The palate is well balanced with a taut line of acidity, silky smooth, very composed with a lot of finesse on the finish. This is one of the domaine's hidden gems and should not be under-estimated. (Drink between 2025-2040)” - Neal Martin (Aug 2024)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This ripe white’s peach, apricot and melon flavors are accented by earth, citrus peel and vanilla notes. Airy in texture and mouthwatering on the finish. Drink now through 2033. 50 cases imported." – Bruce Sanderson (Sep 2025)

90-92 Points - Jasper Morris' Inside Burgundy:
"Clear pale lemon yellow. The nose is taking coaxing but has the precision. Very good tension, still with delicacy despite the concentration, nothing dilute here, good tension with a little bitterness at the back. Very promising. Drink from 2027-2034." (Jun 2024)

90 Points - Allen Meadows' BurgHound:
“This is also quite fresh though a bit cooler with its array of pretty floral, citrus confit, iodine and oyster shell nuances. There is unusually good richness and volume for Les Lys to the sappy and succulent flavors that terminate in a sappy, powerful and lightly bitter lemon-inflected finale. Good if not special quality here. (Drink starting 2030)" (Oct 2025)