Domaine Defaix, Chablis 1er Cru Lechet

Spending time in Didier and Sylvain’s company you immediately understand the energy and effort that is put into their wines, or more correctly, their vines and land.

Situated a little north of the eponymous village of Chablis the brothers have some of the best situated vineyards in the whole of the region and their efforts to coax the best from the soil is incredible. This translates directly into the wines which are powerful, textural and capable of considerable development.

Certified organic and with bio-dynamic influences the gentle caring approach of the Defaix boys makes their wines flagship examples of why Chablis is so special.

For many years the Domaine had been moving towards a sustainable and more ecologically friendly way of farming. Organic farming is the logical result of all this work and some biodynamic practices are now also being introduced. The soils are from the Upper Jurassic period with Kimmeridge Clay only for all of their plots.

Grapes are harvested at perfect ripeness and gently pressed. Fermentation and ageing in oak barrels for 20% of the wine, and in stainless steel tanks for the other 80%. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with natural yeasts. The wine stays on its fine lees for several months then blended before fining and bottling.