Chablis Les Preuses, Domaine William Fèvre 2011

If the Côte de Bouguerots is the biggest wine in 2011 then the Preuses is arguably the most aromatically complex with a broad ranging nose of perfumed and ripe scents of oyster shell, sea water, citrus and white flowers. The silky and refined flavors are wonderfully seductive with an intense minerality to the austere, bone dry and balanced finish that exudes hints of saline and iodine. In sum, this is flat out stunning. Note that there was a bit of post-bottling SO2 present so if you're going to try one young in the name of Science, I would suggest that you decant it for a few minutes first.

Pale yellow-green. Lovely pristine, high-pitched nose combines lemon, lime, white flowers, anise and white pepper. Juicy and nicely ripe, with terrific sappy intensity and grip to the tactile flavors of lime, grapefruit pith and flowers. The long, building finish displays terrific cut and tension. The 2012 version is larger-scaled and richer but this is every bit as penetrating. At 12.7% alcohol, it's nicely ripe but also very easy to drink.

The Fevre 2011 Chablis Preuses deftly combines textural creaminess with lift, clarity and refreshment, and offers luscious white peach and fresh scallop suffused with maritime minerality and tinged with kelp and peach kernel. At once soothing and stimulating, not to mention mouthwatering, the finish here plumbs oceanic depths but brings you back to the surface thirsting for another sip (if not gulp). You should be able to derive memorable pleasure from this through 2018, but I would still favor its company over the next couple of years.