Domaine Samuel Billaud - Chablis 2022

This Chablis Chardonnay is sophisticated and fresh.

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 vineyards are on average 30 years of age and are located in the “Les Pargues”, “Le Chapelot” and "Les Quarts" climats*.

A blend of three great sites, Les Pargues (35 year old vines), Bas de Chapelot (40), and Les Quarts (90 year old), and some Fontenottes. Bright pale colour. Excellent tension, even bitterness. This definitely needs more elevage so will be bottled later than the Petit Chablis. Some riper notes before a much more saline finish. Impeccable and totally Chablis. Drink from 2025-2028. 89-92 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy.

You can drink this wine now by decanting it 15 minutes before serving or it may be cellared up until 2027+. 100% Chardonnay.

* Climat refers to a named plot of vineyard.

What we say
Technical notes

"What a fine example of Chablis with a subtle nose of citrus, grapefruit and infused iodine and oyster shell minerality. The palate is vibrant, with a lasting round finish. This is a great Chablis."

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 in small stainless steel tanks. Finally, the wines are matured for 12 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks.

What we say

"What a fine example of Chablis with a subtle nose of citrus, grapefruit and infused iodine and oyster shell minerality. The palate is vibrant, with a lasting round finish. This is a great Chablis."

Technical notes