Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Les Lys Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay
Chablis, Burgundy, France
“Les Lys” is one of the eight climats within Vaillons but it’s peculiar in terms of its exposure and the soil contains a bit more clay. The wines are equally unique expressions and typically long lived. This bottle is no exception.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a hour. The 2010 “Les Lys” pours a bright yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with explosive notes of tart and ripe orchard and tropical fruits: green apple, starfruit, passion fruit; a mixed bag of citrus with lemon, lime and even some tangerine. There’s white flowers, a whiff of brioche and racy minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. It has been a few years since I last had the 2010 and it’s no less stunning. Drink now through 2035+
“Les Lys” is one of the eight climats within Vaillons but it’s peculiar in terms of its exposure and the soil contains a bit more clay. The wines are equally unique expressions and typically long lived. This bottle is no exception.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a hour. The 2010 “Les Lys” pours a bright yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with explosive notes of tart and ripe orchard and tropical fruits: green apple, starfruit, passion fruit; a mixed bag of citrus with lemon, lime and even some tangerine. There’s white flowers, a whiff of brioche and racy minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. It has been a few years since I last had the 2010 and it’s no less stunning. Drink now through 2035+
Big mineral nose. Sea air and sea breeze. Some grilled nuts. So clean and airy. Wonderful for a hot day in NYC. Palate is ripe, rich and tense. Oily but classically Chablis but also in the unique Defaix style. So unctuous yet compact. Awesome purity and length. Lemony finish. Really outstanding bottle. Good depth and concentration and just a drop dead texture. Nose with air is dripping with lemon flesh and sap. But so mineral.
9.4 to 9.5 overnight with incredible finesse and so much more saline. Also some candied quality.
Big mineral nose. Sea air and sea breeze. Some grilled nuts. So clean and airy. Wonderful for a hot day in NYC. Palate is ripe, rich and tense. Oily but classically Chablis but also in the unique Defaix style. So unctuous yet compact. Awesome purity and length. Lemony finish. Really outstanding bottle. Good depth and concentration and just a drop dead texture. Nose with air is dripping with lemon flesh and sap. But so mineral.
9.4 to 9.5 overnight with incredible finesse and so much more saline. Also some candied quality.
2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Les Lys 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(92-94; Drink 2025-35)
2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Les Lys 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(92-94; Drink 2025-35)
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. “Les Lys” is a lieu-dit that technically falls within the Vaillons 1er Cru. It’s known for producing wines with a fresher, zippier style than most other 1er’s due to its northeastern exposure. The 2010 “Les Lys” by Daniel-Etienne Defaix is exemplary. It pours a bright golden color with a silvery rim; no signs of particles or gas. Medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense. Developing (still!), with all of the citrus fruits: redolent of ripe lemon, lime, and tangerines mixed with some pineapple, wildflowers, minerals and some brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose loads of limestone minerals. Leesy with a very long, oily finish. The notes were consistent over the three days the bottle was enjoyed however, it gained some weight and power over that time. It also started to show more oxidative notes: candied nuts and marmalade. This is stupidly good. Drink now and over the next ten+ years, easy. It has the stuffing and the acid to go the distance and age gracefully.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. “Les Lys” is a lieu-dit that technically falls within the Vaillons 1er Cru. It’s known for producing wines with a fresher, zippier style than most other 1er’s due to its northeastern exposure. The 2010 “Les Lys” by Daniel-Etienne Defaix is exemplary. It pours a bright golden color with a silvery rim; no signs of particles or gas. Medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense. Developing (still!), with all of the citrus fruits: redolent of ripe lemon, lime, and tangerines mixed with some pineapple, wildflowers, minerals and some brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose loads of limestone minerals. Leesy with a very long, oily finish. The notes were consistent over the three days the bottle was enjoyed however, it gained some weight and power over that time. It also started to show more oxidative notes: candied nuts and marmalade. This is stupidly good. Drink now and over the next ten+ years, easy. It has the stuffing and the acid to go the distance and age gracefully.
1 person found it helpfulMay 20th, 2023
