SAUVIGNON BLANC DE ST. BRIS
Defaix Frères
APPELLATION
Sauvginon Blanc de St. Bris AOC
GRAPE VARIETIES
100% Sauvignon Blanc
WINEMAKERS
Didier Defaix
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol
12.5%


Didier Defaix of Defaix Frères represents the 4th generation growers and the 2nd generation as an estate-bottled Domaine. The domaine was started in 1955 with only 2ha on Premiere Cru Côte de Lechet, the Domaine has now 27ha. It is currently run by brothers Didier and Sylvain Defaix, and Hélène Jaeger-Defaix (Didier’s wife). Hélène inherited the 4.5ha Domaine from her great-aunt in 2003 and Hélène and Didier vinified their first vintage in 2004. A historic family, Hélène’s great-grandfather, Henri Niepce, was instrumental in promoting and achieving Rully’s AOC status in the 1930s. Since 2009, the domaine has been employing organic and sustainable methods in the vineyards and utilization of natural indigenous yeast for all fermentations.
TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTESSaint Bris is located on the Auxerre area (15 km from Chablis). The wine is produced exclusively from Sauvignon blanc and it is the only appellation in Burgundy using this grape variety. It is produced on clay-chalky soils.
WINEMAKING & AGEINGA complete analysis of each cuvée at the reception of the grape. Soft and slow pressing to extract the best juices. Slow alcoholic fermentation at 20°C on fine lees with natural yeasts to respect the personality of each terroir. Daily controls of temperature during the fermentation.
The wine is aged on its fine lees during eight months. The lees are regularly moved around during the first months to enrich the structure of the wine. The winemaking is entirely done in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness and the typicity of the wine.
TASTING NOTESCitrus and lemon aromas with sometimes a note of fresh grass; the mouth is balanced and structured. It will be better tasted young in order to preserve all its freshness. Serve around 11°C with a quiche Lorraine or with salmon.