2024 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis

Founded in 1815, Domaine Billaud-Simon comprises nearly 17 hectares of vineyards, the majority planted with Chardonnay. All of Domaine Billaud-Simon's plots are located in the heart of Chablis, in the heart of the historic appellation. The estate currently boasts four Grand Crus (Les Clos, Vaudésir, Les Preuses, and Les Blanchots), as well as four Premier Crus (Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Mont de Milieu, and Les Vaillons). As a benchmark in Chablis, they produce high-quality wines from old vines.

The vineyards are situated on a limestone terroir with a south-southeast exposure on the left banks of the river. The vineyards are on average between 15 and 25 years old. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats under thermoregulated temperatures. The wine then ages 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 on the nose. It is also minerally, pure, and refreshing with great finesse. The palate is a pleasant compromise between richness, freshness, and elegance. Ripe fruit with light vanilla notes and minerality create a full, supple wine with a long finish. Pure drinking pleasure! A wonderful accompaniment to seafood and fish appetizers, pasta dishes with fish, poultry, and white meat.

ABOUT CHABLIS

Chablis is officially part of the Burgundy wine region, but it's relatively isolated a considerable distance to the northeast. The climate there is wetter and cooler than Burgundy itself, which determines the choice to plant primarily Chardonnay. This is a robust white grape that also ripens in cooler regions. But even with Chardonnay, caution is advised, as the early shoots are prone to frost in spring. Therefore, misting systems and heaters are used in the vineyards to prevent this. Of course, Chardonnay is also widely grown in other parts of Burgundy, but the wines from Chablis have a unique character. They have a mineral flavor, typically with higher acidity, and an aroma reminiscent of flint or pebbles.

It's not just the cool climate that gives Chablis its unique flavor, but especially the special soil of marine origin. The vineyards lie on a rock known as Kimmeridge, which was the seabed hundreds of millions of years ago. It's a mixture of limestone, clay, and fossilized oyster shells, 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 situated on the southwestern slopes of a chalky ridge just northeast of the town.