2024 Samuel Billaud Chablis

While many producers treat their village-level Chablis as a high-volume workhorse, Samuel Billaud approaches his ‘Grands Terroirs’ with the same site-specific intensity as his Premier Crus. This isn’t a generic blend; it’s a deliberate curation of three standout sites - Les Pargues, Bas de Chapelot, and Les Quarts - including vines that are up to 90 years old.

In a region where precision is everything, Samuel is a perfectionist. He dictates the harvest date for every plot to ensure the fruit is vibrating with energy before it even hits the pneumatic press. The 2024 shows the trademark Billaud signature: a focus on Kimmeridgian limestone purity, handled entirely in stainless steel and matured on fine lees for 12 months to build detail without masking the mineral drive.

The wine opens with a refreshing, saline entry and a bouquet of citrus fruit and crushed stones. It’s well-balanced and taut, moving into a tightening middle and finishing with a classic, steely lemon twist. It’s an intellectual Chablis that doesn't sacrifice drinkability - it's class act AC Chablis and one of the best we've tasted in some time. This wine is a clear indicator of why Samuel is currently one of the most respected names in the appellation.