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. Most of the domaine’s wines see no oak at all, apart from the Premier Cru Mont de Milieu which is 40% vinified in oak and the Grand Cru Les Blanchots, which is 100% vinified in oak.
The Chablis wine region stretches along the Serein valley and across 20 communes. Chablis, known as the ‘Porte d’Or de la Bourgogne’ (‘Golden gates of Burgundy’), has succeeded in establishing a reputation for its dry white wines with a distinctive style: clear, aromatic and lively with a distinct minerality.
Total surface area: 3 256 ha
Soils: Kimméridgien
Exposure: South – South/East ; South – South/West
Grape variety: Chardonnay
The grapes are carefully harvested in order to preserve the quality of the fruit. They are sorted manually on a vibrating sorting table in order to retain only the most healthy fruit. The grapes are drained naturally before being pressed using a pneumatic press in order to gently extract the juices and conserve as much aroma as possible. Static cold settling of the musts for 12 to 24 hours in stainless steel vats in order to obtain a bright, clear juice. Alcoholic fermentation followed by malolactic fermentation, both natural, in stainless steel vats. 8 to 10 months in stainless steel vats in order to preserve freshness and minerality. The wine is racked twice before being bottled at the end of Spring.
December and January were very rainy, followed by a relatively dry month of February. Rainfall was higher than average in March. Bud burst took place later than usual (24 April) and spring was mild and dry apart from the nights of the 1st and 2nd of May where frosts threatened – luckily this vintage was spared the impact of previous years. The flowering phase began on the 1st of June and took place in good conditions thanks to the warm, dry weather which continued throughout summer. The vine did not suffer from the lack of water owing to high rainfall in the month of March. The harvests took place in excellent conditions thanks to the beautiful weather. The 2018 is an exceptionally concentrated vintage. The young wines are already very promising and showing the signs of having excellent ageing potential.
Beautiful white gold hue with delicate pale green glimmers. A seductive and very classic Chablis nose offering vine peach, banana, citrus fruits and brioche. The palate is well-balanced, rich, fresh and elegant. The smooth, rich structure lingers on the end palate. Ripe fruits combine harmoniously with mineral notes to give a soft mouthfeel.
Red tuna tartare, baked salmon parcels, crab.
10°C to 12 °C
Chablis
100% Chardonnay
Cork
13%
Yes
Yes
