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 origins of the name are not clear. It is probably derived from ‘la vallée de tous les désirs’ meaning ‘the valley of all desires’, eagerly awaited by wine lovers and winemakers each year. Whatever the case, it is certainly a very beautiful name for a wine climat.
Surface area: 14 ha 70 / Surface area of our parcel: 0 ha 49 a
Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone
Exposure: Right bank. South – South/East
Grape variety: 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. 15 to 18 months in stainless steel vats in order to preserve freshness and minerality. The wine is racked twice before being bottled in the end of Autumn.
Winter was cold, dry and short-lived. Bud-burst took place early (beginning of April) and was followed by a mild spring, aside from 10 consecutive days of frost from the 19th to the 29th April. Flowering began on the 1st June and took place in excellent conditions thanks to warm, dry weather in May and June. The growing cycle took place at two different speeds between the frozen vines (late and with less production) and the vines that were unaffected by the frosts (earlier and with higher production). Summer was rather mixed with excellent weather in July but a cooler month of August which enabled the vine to retain the water it needed. September was also very conducive to the vine with temperatures that were not too hot, thereby enabling the grapes to ripen slowly.
The spring frosts had a severe impact our yields: – 44% for Premiers Crus and -55% for Grands Crus. The grapes we harvested were healthy, small in size and perfectly ripe.
Pale yellow hue with clear, green glimmers. The complex nose reveals delicate aromas of white flowers (acacia and lime blossom), vanilla and honey. The palate is well-structured and combines a rich structure and lively acidity.
Fillet of sea bream, roast pork in honey, lobster.
10°C to 12 °C
Chablis, France
100% Chardonnay
Cork
13%
Yes
Yes
