2021 Bernard Defaix Chablis Grand Cru Bougros
WINEMAKER: Sylvain & Didier Defaix
REGION: Burgundy, FR
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic
This grand cru is situated on the west/south-west extremity of the seven grands crus of Chablis. Our cuvée of Bougros comes from a vine located on the top of the slope, so the exposure to the sun is excellent. The wine is fermented and aged in oak barrels with regular "batonnage". The coolness of the cellar exempts us from a cold stabilisation process: the precipitation of tartar crystals takes place naturally during winter. Then the wine is bottled with a light filtration after 18 months ageing. Very pleasant with flavours of flowers, honeysuckle in particular, and mineral notes, it is also full in the mouth with good length.
Their vineyards are some of the most flawlessly tended, and their natural approach always results in wines that remind us why Chablis can be such a great drink: all purity, freshness, texture and, in some cases, screwcap closures. In the vineyards, a totally organic approach is adopted, with the total exclusion of herbicides and pesticides, and now biodynamic trials are now underway in those vineyards closest to the Domaine. The little fertiliser used is organic compost, and ploughing has become the norm, thus avoiding compacting the soil to encourage biodiversity. Yields are kept low and fermentations wild, bringing a crystalline intensity and great texture to the finished juice.