Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Vaillon 2011

Cellar for 10 years or more. No need to decant before serving.

This Chablis is infused with the warm sun of Burgundy and the mature, complex character of elderly vines. Look for notes of buttered brioche on the nose, with aromatic scents of lemon zest, ripe orchard fruits, and earthy, forest-floor undertones. It is 100% Chardonnay, plucked from 45 to 50 year old vines in the “Vaillon” Premier Cru region that grow on clayish Kimmeridgian soils.

Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix is one of the oldest estates in Chablis, with a ludicrously long history dating back to the 16th century. Its 28 hectares are planted exclusively with Chardonnay, a love letter to the Burgundy staple. The Defaix family know their craft - today, the winery is spearheaded by 14th-generation winemaker Daniel-Etienne, who employs long-aging techniques and an undeniably joyous approach to winemaking.

This wine has countless layers on the palate, delving deep into flavours of green apple, nectarine, lemon, and lime. As the wine opens up, you can discover further ones of butter, honey, dried herbs and oak. The wine was left on the natural yeast for 4 years altogether, with monthly stirring. It is a brilliant wine for pairing with lobster, pungent cheese, or a creamy pasta dish.