2020 Williams-Selyem Pinot Noir Ferrington & 2019 Domaine William Fevre Bougros Chablis Grand Cru
The sommelier at Buon Vino called for Burgundy varieties on this fine Wednesday evening so I picked out a pair from opposite sides of my wine cellar. I’ve been an allocation buyer of Williams-Selyem since a good friend introduced me to the mark 10+ years ago. They were purchased by Burgundy’s Faiveley Family of Domaine Faiveley in 2024 and have thankfully kept the reasonable pricing and high quality wine that the previous owners, John and Kathe Dyson made famous. This bottle from the oft maligned fire season of 2020 mercifully spared from any smoke taint, at least by my nose and palate. Bright juicy red fruit driven with just enough earth and salinity make this single vineyard wine one of my favorites especially at just $75 / bottle DTC.
Chablis Grand Cru wines seem to be one of the most affordable pathways into high quality white Burgundy that won’t always break the bank. I would love to be able to drink even 1er Puligny-Montrachet on the daily, but that isn’t in the cards… This William Fevre GC Chablis was obtained for about $70 on the secondary market from Classic Wine here in Dallas. A classic citrus driven Chardonnay with just the right balance of crisp fruit with a solid backbone of acidity. Excellent with and without food, I always will reach for a Chablis GC to turn the heads of California white wine lovers. Enjoy!