2023 Domaine Jean Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys Organic, Burgundy

Jean Defaix’s 1er Cru Les Lys is a pure, elegant expression of Chablis from one of the most refined Premier Cru sites in Burgundy. Situated within the greater Vaillons climat, Les Lys faces east and sits on cooler slopes, giving the wine lifted aromatics, fine acidity, and a delicate mineral core. It’s a site known for producing some of the most graceful and floral expressions of Chardonnay in the region.

The vineyards are organically farmed and rooted in classic Kimmeridgian limestone soils, rich in marine fossils that lend a signature chalky salinity and length. The approach in both vineyard and cellar is traditional—hand harvesting, gentle pressing, fermentation in stainless steel, and no oak aging. This allows the vineyard’s terroir to shine through with clarity and precision.

The nose is perfumed with white flowers, green apple, citrus zest, and crushed oyster shell. On the palate, it’s tightly focused and linear, offering flavours of lemon, pear skin, and flint, carried by vibrant acidity and a long, stony finish. There’s a softness in the texture that balances the wine’s structure, making it both refreshing and quietly complex.

This is a Chablis for those who love finesse over power—ideal with seafood, goat’s cheese, or simply sipped as it slowly unfolds in the glass.