Defaix Chablis Grand Cru Les Grenouilles 2013
by Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix
- Grape variety
- Chardonnay
- Region
- Chablis Grand Cru AOC, Burgundy, France
- Style
- white
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Vintage
- 2013
Price: CHF 110 In stock
About this wine
Les Grenouilles is the smallest Grand Cru appellation in Chablis. Defaix is one of only five owners, with 0.3 hectares of vines planted in 1960 on a dome of full-south Kimméridgian marl — 66-year-old roots, never replanted. Daniel-Etienne Defaix calls it a 'perle rare' of the Chablis region. Natural yeasts, 18 months of monthly lees stirring, no oak, unfined, unfiltered. Then the wine waited. The 2013 is now 13 years old and has become what Defaix always said it would: fat, round, delicately aromatic, with a silky structure and a finish that takes its time. He recommends caviar. He's not wrong.
Tasting notes
Golden amber, luminous. The nose is layered and open: ripe white fruit, wax, a whisper of truffle, and a mineral core that has grown more complex with 13 years of age. On the palate, round and fat in the best sense — the full-south exposure gives fullness that the minerality holds in check. Silky texture, a finish that extends and stays. Drink slowly, with appropriate food.
Aromas
white fruit, wax, truffle, struck flint, honey, ripe peach, chalk
Critic scores
- Vivino: 4.3
Structure
body medium-full · tannin none · acidity very high · sweetness bone dry
Serving
Serve at 12–14°C · Drink 2026–2036
Food pairings
Grilled lobster, Caviar and blinis, Pan-seared langoustines, Roast chicken with morels
Best for
Grenouilles. 1960 vines. That's the whole pitch.
From the winemaker
100% Chardonnay from the Les Grenouilles Grand Cru (0.3 ha, vines planted 1960, full south exposure, Kimméridgian marl); natural yeast fermentation at 18°C; complete MLF; 18 months monthly bâtonnage in stainless steel. No oak, unfined, unfiltered. One of only five owners of this, the smallest Grand Cru appellation in Chablis.
Editor's note
Les Grenouilles is the smallest Grand Cru appellation in Chablis. Defaix is one of five owners, with 0.3 hectares of vines planted in 1960 on a dome of full-south Kimméridgian marl. 13 years of age. Fat, round, silky in structure, with a bouquet that opens slowly and stays. Daniel-Etienne recommends caviar or lobster. That's not wrong. A proper glass and an hour without interruption will also do.
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