Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Les Vaillons Premier Cru 2023
Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Les Vaillons Premier Cru
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2023
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Chardonnay
ABV: 13%
Bright and clear in appearance, with attractive golden tinges. The nose shows remarkable aromatic complexity, with ripe citrus and white flowers. The palate is round and seductive, opening with a lively attack and developing into a refined, mineral textured profile. Medium bodied and precise, it combines fruit detail with delicate acidity and freshness. The finish is long, elegant and persistent, with citrus, floral and mineral notes carried clearly through.
Premier Cru Les Vaillons comes from a Premier Cru whose name derives from “vallon”, meaning small valley. The Domaine’s parcel covers 2.95 hectares within the 15-hectare climat. The site is on the right bank, with south and south-west ex- posure. Soils are very pebbly clay-limestone colluvial deposits over Kimmeridgian subsoil, giving Chardonnay both aromatic complexity and fresh mineral structure. The valley setting contributes to the wine’s refined balance and persistent freshness.
The grapes were hand-harvested, manually sorted and gently pressed using a pneumatic press. The musts underwent static cold settling for 12 to 24 hours in stainless steel vats before natural alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. The wine was aged for 14 to 16 months in stainless steel, with possible short ageing in French oak where required. This élevage preserves freshness and minerality while adding complexity and body.
Domaine Billaud-Simon is renowned for producing some of the best wines in Chablis, long recognised for their steely, mineral style. Domaine Billaud Simon owns 20 hectares of vineyards in some of the best areas in Chablis.