2023 Samuel Billaud Bourgogne D'Or

Getting Samuel Billaud’s name on a bottle at this price is a massive win for anyone who follows Chablis. Since he went solo and set up his own operation in 2009, Samuel has shot into the region's top tier - his name and his wines spoken in the same breath as legends like Raveneau and Dauvissat. He’s a grower who doesn’t know how to do "entry-level" without obsessive attention to detail.

Here is the entry point into his style. By sourcing fruit from Auxerre and the Mâconnais, Samuel has turned out a Chardonnay that balances that classic, chalky tension, the thumbprint of his wines all the way up to Grand Cru, with a touch of sun-drenched flesh. It’s handled entirely in stainless steel, so the focus stays squarely on the fruit rather than any oak influence.

It’s bright and focused, leading with crunchy green apple and a sharp citrus. There’s a lovely, fine texture here that separates it from other 'entry-level' white Burgundy. It’s sophisticated and incredibly fresh. If you want a look at why Billaud is one of the most respected names in Chablis, this is a brilliant place to start. Excellent value for a wine with this much pedigree.

"An attractively floral nose speaks of pear liqueur and enough Chablis character to be persuasive. The delicious, succulent and rounded middleweight flavours possess unusually good volume for a wine at this level allied with fine punch that carries over to
the refreshingly dry finish. This offers solid quality for its level in a package that should afford early drinkability."
- Allen Meadows (Burghound)