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 name ‘Mont de Milieu’ makes reference to the defining characteristic of this hillside which previously marked a boundary between two points. On one side was the Chablis constituency (an area across which a Lord or town had the right to jurisdiction), at the time in the Champagne constituency, and on the other side was the Fleys constituency which fell under the Duchy of Burgundy.
Total surface area: 34 ha / Surface area of our parcel: 2 ha 77 a
Soils: Kimmeridgien clay-limestone
Exposure: Right bank. South – South/East
Cépage : Chardonnay
Hand harvested in order to preserve the quality of the fruit. The grapes 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. 14 to 16 months in stainless steel vats with, if necessary, some time spent in French oak barrels. The ageing process preserves freshness and minerality whilst bringing complexity and body to the wine. The wine is racked twice before being bottled at the end of Autumn.
It was a very classic winter, with average levels of rain and temperatures. In late March that changed, with a spell of unseasonably warm temperatures, over 27C, which lead to a much earlier bud burst. Once again, Chablis was hit with severe frosts as the cold weather returned in early April. For seven nights (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th and 14th April) the frost set in, and the teams were out in the vineyards trying to protect the newly formed buds. The left bank of the Serein and the upper plateau were the most impacted, notable losses in Les Vaillons and Petit Chablis. Flowering took place in mid-June and was quick and heterogeneous, and Summer was cool and humid until late August and early September when temperatures increased. Harvest began on the 18th September. Vigorous sorting took place at the winery, and this year Billaud-Simon recorded lower than average yields, around 30hL/ha, and in some Grand Cru parcels making less than 2 barrels.
The 2021 harvests in figures: 6 days of cutting, 30 pickers, 32 parcels harvested.
A blend of four parcels representing all the different aspects and altitudes of the Mont de Milieu vineyard, the wine is fresh and mineral with fresh citrus fruits, pink lady apple and a touch of smoke. A more complex palate, with fruit concentration balancing the minerality and zesty acidity.
Quail terrine, sea bream with confit lemons, king prawns in ginger and lime.
10°C to 12 °C
Chablis, France
100% Chardonnay
Cork
12.5
Yes
Yes
