Domaine Samuel Billaud - Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2023

This Grand Cru Les Preuses is very fine and incredibly complex.

Samuel Billaud is considered to be one of the select few outstanding producers in Chablis. Testament to this is Samuel’s ability to bring out the unique characteristics of each of his fantastic terroirs. His wines have a distinctive elegance, balance and complexity that is seldom achieved with such precision. The plot of Grand Cru Les Preuses is 50+ years old.

The 2023 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru comes from 60-year-old vines that were cropped at around 45 hl/ha. This leans slightly more toward the tropical side of the fruit spectrum, although the mineralité still floods through. The palate is well balanced with a keen thread of acidity and a patina of new oak that's cohesive with the fruit. This is edgy and surfeit with energy on the finish. The 2023 is excellent. 95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous. 100% Chardonnay. 

What we say

"The yields were very low for the Grand Cru Les Preuses (35 hectolitres per hectare). It brings a magnificent weight and concentration on the palate but without missing the elegant, gentle touch of this climat. It is impressively complex. I can’t recommend this wine enough."

Technical notes

At Domaine Samuel Billaud the grapes are harvested by both hand and machine for the Petit Chablis and Chablis and only by hand for the 1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. In the vineyard, the yields are managed strictly to accentuate the concentration of the grapes. The harvest date is of vital importance in this regard and Samuel chooses the date without any compromise. As a result it can sometimes take up to four weeks to harvest his plots. This ensures that every plot is at optimal ripeness. Once picked, the grapes are quickly brought to the winery and pressed in the pneumatic press. Then the juice undergoes its alcoholic and malo-lactic fermentation partly in small stainless steel tanks and 400 litres barrels. Finally, the wines are matured for 12 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks.