2020 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis

Domaine Billaud-Simon was founded in 1815 and consists of almost 17 hectares of vineyards, the majority of which are planted with Chardonnay. All plots of Domaine Billaud-Simon are planted in the center of Chablis, in the heart of the historic appellation. The domain currently has four Grand Crus (Les Clos, Vaudésir, Les Preuses, Les Blanchots), as well as four Premier Crus (Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Mont de Milieu, Les Vaillons). As an absolute reference in Chablis, they produce wines from old vines of high quality.

The vineyards are located on a limestone terroir with a south/southeast exposure on the left banks. the vineyards are on average between 15 and 25 years old. The fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats under thermoregulated temperatures. The wine then matures for several months in temperature-controlled tanks. This Billaud-Simon Chablis is a 100% Chardonnay. It is a typical Chablis with aromas of exotic fruit and citrus in the nose. Furthermore, minerality, pure and refreshing with a lot of finesse. The taste is a pleasant compromise between richness, freshness and elegance. Ripe fruit with light vanilla tones and minerality provide a full, smooth wine with a long aftertaste. Pure drinking pleasure! A nice accompaniment to starters with seafood and fish, pastas prepared with fish, poultry and white meat.

ABOUT CHABLIS

Chablis is officially part of the Burgundy wine region, but is quite isolated a good distance to the northeast. The climate is wetter and cooler than Burgundy itself and that determines the choice for planting mainly chardonnay. A strong, white grape that also ripens in cool areas. But even with chardonnay, you have to be careful, because the early shoots are at risk of freezing in the spring. That is why mist systems and heaters are used in the vineyards to prevent this. Of course, chardonnay is also widely planted in other parts of Burgundy, but the wines from Chablis have their own character. They have a mineral taste with usually a higher acidity and an aroma reminiscent of flint or pebble.

It is not only the cool climate that gives Chablis its unique taste, but also the special soil of marine origin. The vineyards are located on a rock that was the bottom of the sea hundreds of millions of years ago and is called Kimmeridge. It is a mixture of lime, clay and fossil oyster shells and was formed in the Jurassic period by billions of shellfish that lived on the seabed.

The best vineyards - seven Grands Crus and several dozen Premiers Crus - are found on this type of soil and are located around the town of Chablis. The Grand Cru vineyards are located on the southwestern slopes of a limestone ridge immediately northeast of the city.