2023 Simonnet-Febvre Sauvignon Saint-Bris 750 ml

If Chablis and Sancerre had a child, its name would be Saint-Bris. 

And from that appellation—the only one in Burgundy to produce Sauvignon Blanc—member-favorite Chablis producer Simonnet-Febvre has turned in a minerally, vivid, and super-lean white wine that transcends the usual offerings and delivers a rare experience. 

Saint-Bris has a mere 325 acres planted to Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s completely unknown to most people—even wine aficionados. Very few of these wines make it to US soil, and fewer still impress at such a stellar price. But Simonnet-Febvre has become a certified-gold member favorite.

Maison Simonnet-Febvre was established in 1840, and they’ve been producing some of the most outstanding and prototypical wines from Chablis and the broader Yonne ever since. They are one of only a couple dozen producers bottling Saint-Bris, and one of only a handful bringing those wines to the United States.

The 2023 vintage in greater Chablis was exceptional, especially for cooler regions in the Yonne like Saint-Bris.  Flowering in early June occurred under ideal conditions, and a large crop was set on the vines, setting the stage for abundance despite the obstacles ahead. The late-season heat wave that swept through the region in September proved to be the vintage's saving grace, allowing grapes to reach optimal maturity. The result was wine with generous fruit character and the crystalline minerality that defines great Chablis. 

Decanter awarded the vintage four stars, noting: “The best results are in line with recent sunny vintages (such as 2018–2020 and 2022), with ripe orchard and stone fruit, a lush texture, balanced acidity and plenty of extract.”

Saint-Bris stands in defiance of Burgundy’s Chardonnay hegemony and offers one of the best windows we’ve found into the miracle of terroir. Everything about this wine feels like Chablis, from the weight, to the vibrant nose awash in lime zest, to the minerally finish. But entwined with these elements are quenching citrus-fruit flavors, which are lighter-bodied than Sancerre but every bit as penetrating.