2022 Domaine Jean Defaix Fourchaume Organic Chablis 1er Cru, Burgundy

The 2022 Domaine Jean Defaix Fourchaume Organic Chablis 1er Cru is a beautifully poised white wine that reflects both the pedigree of one of Chablis’ most renowned premiers crus and the estate’s dedication to organic viticulture. The Defaix family have been part of Chablis’ winemaking fabric for generations, with Jean Defaix passing his vineyards on to his son-in-law Didier Defaix and daughter Hélène, who continue to uphold the domaine’s tradition of purity and elegance while embracing certified organic practices.

Fourchaume sits on the right bank of the Serein River, just north of the Grand Cru vineyards, and is prized for producing some of the most generous and approachable premier cru Chablis. The slopes here are rich in Kimmeridgian limestone, full of fossilised seashells, which impart the region’s hallmark chalky minerality. The 2022 vintage in Chablis was warm and balanced, yielding ripe fruit while retaining freshness and precision, perfectly suited to showcase Fourchaume’s charm.

In the glass, it shines pale gold with green hues. The nose is expressive and layered, offering lemon zest, white peach and green apple alongside chalk, acacia blossom and a hint of flint. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant, with ripe citrus and orchard fruit carried by crisp acidity and a fine mineral backbone. Subtle lees texture adds depth without compromising clarity, and the finish is long, saline and focused.

Food pairings highlight its elegance and minerality: freshly shucked oysters, scallops in lemon butter, grilled sole, or vegetarian dishes such as zucchini flowers, asparagus with olive oil, or a simple goat’s cheese tart. It is delicious young for its vibrancy, but with 8 to 12 years of cellaring potential, it develops complexity, gaining honey, hazelnut and truffle while retaining its mineral spine.