Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Les Lys 2015
by Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix
- Grape variety
- Chardonnay
- Region
- Chablis Premier Cru AOC, Burgundy, France
- Style
- white
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Vintage
- 2015
Price: CHF 43 In stock
About this wine
Les Lys sits on a marne asphyxiante — a marl so dense in clay that the vines are starved of oxygen in the soil. The stress produces a Chardonnay of unusual concentration: white flowers, marked minerality, and a persistent salinity that most Chablis Premier Crus don't achieve. Defaix's vines average 41 years old on a south-east exposure. Natural yeasts, 18 months lees, no oak. The 2015 is now 11 years old: what was vertical and tight in youth has become focused and long, with white flower aromas deepened into wax and lemon blossom. A Premier Cru built for the table.
Tasting notes
Bright gold with green highlights. The nose is aromatic and precise: white flowers, acacia, lemon blossom, and an immediate salinity. On the palate, vertical and focused — the dense clay soil gives a mouthfeel almost austere in its mineral concentration. Saline finish, long and clean, white flowers persisting through the last sip.
Aromas
white flowers, acacia, lemon blossom, chalk, salinity, wax, citrus zest
Critic scores
- Jancis Robinson: 17
- Vivino: 4.2
Structure
body medium · tannin none · acidity very high · sweetness bone dry
Serving
Serve at 12–14°C · Drink 2026–2033
Food pairings
Sole with cream and mussels, Grilled lobster, Scallops with beurre blanc, Turbot with hollandaise
Best for
Saturday evening with sole, someone unhurried, and nowhere to be.
From the winemaker
100% Chardonnay from the Les Lys Premier Cru (dense clay-limestone 'marne asphyxiante', SE exposure, vines avg 41 years); natural yeast fermentation at 18°C; complete MLF; 18 months monthly bâtonnage in stainless steel. No oak.
Editor's note
Les Lys sits on a marne asphyxiante — a marl so dense in clay it starves the vines of oxygen. The stress produces a Chardonnay of unusual concentration: white flowers, marked minerality, and a salinity that runs through every sip. Eleven years in the cellar. What was vertical and tight in youth has become focused and long. One of the more serious Premier Crus in the Chablis lineup.
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