Billaud Simon Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2022

Description

Bernard Billaud and his nephew Samuel produce some of the very best examples of Chablis today. The domaine has 20 hectares of vines in some of the best sites in the appellation, including the Premiers Crus, Mont de Millieu and Vaillons and the Grands Crus, Blanchot, Les Clos and Les Preuses. In 1991 Billaud-Simon built a new state-of-the-art winery, equipped with numerous temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Previously the domaine had glass-lined, steel tanks, which were difficult to keep cool during fermentation. The majority of the domaine`s wines see no oak at all, with the aim being to produce Chablis of elegance, purity, balance and freshness. These are crisp, mineral-laden wines that are superb examples of modern style, unoaked Chablis. They are delicious when young, yet age beautifully as well.

Somewhat surprisingly, this possesses better Chablis typicity than the Montée de Tonnerre with its iodine, oyster shell, lemon rind and ripe pear aromas. There is excellent richness and concentration to the broad-shouldered flavors that exhibit plenty of power and muscle on the lemon and saline-inflected finale. This is a solid if not truly special effort in the context of the appellation and vintage. Note that at least some patience will be required. AM89-92