Samuel Billaud Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vielles Vignes 2023

Importers thoughts -"The 1er Cru “Vaillons” is matured entirely in stainless steel tanks adding to its strong acidity and tension. The old vine is bringing concentration to the mid-palate, with a coating minerality all along, a beauty!."

Critics thoughts - The 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, from the Vaillons lieu-dit itself, faces west/southwest, and was matured entirely in stainless steel. But unlike Montmains, it is more demonstrative and generous and soars from the glass with notes of pear, tangerine zest and beeswax mingling with oyster shell. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, charming yet tensile, layered and laden with tangy acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish. As expressive as its youthful aromatics may be, this wine always rewards patience. Samuel Billaud established his own state-of-the-art winery in the center of Chablis in 2009, and he has emerged as one of the village’s top four or five producers, crafting wines characterized by textural seamlessness and precision. Working with four hectares of organically farmed estate vineyards, supplemented by purchased grapes (for which Billaud decides the harvest date, and his team usually picks the fruit), harvesting of ripe yet vibrant fruit is the rule here. This is followed by fermentation at 16 to 20 degrees Celsius in stainless steel tank and/or used wood (mostly 500-liter barrels from Tonnellerie Chassin), then maturation for 13 months on the lees for Petit Chablis and Chablis Village and 15 to 18 months for the premier cru and grand cru bottlings. His wines are bright, nervy expressions of Chablis with plenty of concentration and length. (KK) 91 points Wine Advocate