Samuel Billaud

This comes from two plots – Chapelot and the 90-year- old Cartes – this year, rather than the usual three, as the Pargues was hailed completely. This is very classic Chablis on the nose, while the palate has gorgeous concentration and purity, with a saline, marine finish. Punches above the weight of a normal village wine. Drink 2020-2024.
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer

The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

After a hiatus in 2015, we are pleased to welcome this back to the range. Raised entirely in stainless steel to preserve the freshness of this south-facing vineyard, this is the most open of the Premiers Crus. The warmth of the exposition shines through with pleasant yellow fruit notes, while the steep, stony slope contributes a chalkiness to the finish. Very transparent. Drink 2020-2025.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

Twenty percent went into barrel and 80 percent into tank, coming from a mix of plots ranging from 30 to 80 years old. Harvested at around 25hl/ha, it’s no surprise that there is great concentration and intensity. Floral and subtle with the austerity of youth, this will fill out with élevage and blossom into a fine Mont de Milieu. Drink 2021-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer


The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

This is produced from over 70-year-old vines passed down from Samuel’s grandmother. There is no oak here despite the hazelnut character on the nose. The fruit is distinctly citrus, but minerality is the dominant factor in this wine. It is incredibly vibrant and dynamic; you can really feel the Kimmeridgian limestone on the chalky finish. Drink 2021-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer


The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage. Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

From two parcels between 30 and 45 years old, 20 percent was raised in 450-litre oak barrels. It has a lovely, crystalline, lemon nose with a breezy seashell lift. The palate has greater sucrosity and riper peach fruit, along with an alluring creamy, leesy finish. Drink 2021-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer


The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

This comes from two parcels; one facing east and one facing west. The former brings minerality, the latter brings sunny fruit. The result is a very complete wine, perfectly walking the line between yellow peach and poised tension. The finish has a lovely touch of flinty gun-smoke. Drink 2022-2027.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

From 60-year-old vines, this was raised in two-year- old 450-litre barrels. It’s creamier than the Vaudésir, with a touch of caramel. It displays the suave seduction of Preuses and a fine, iodine finish. Drink 2022-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent. Samuel feels that 2016 is very close in style to the outstanding 2014 vintage, and says that the concentrating effect of hail and frost early in the season, along with the cool ripening period has given a good balance of matière and acidity. This is a very promising set of wines which will gain in weight and complexity with élevage . Samuel is undoubtedly making some of the finest wines in Chablis.

From 50- to 60-year-old vines, this displays the lovely suave texture of Les Preuses, as yet very tightly knit, showing the concentration of the vintage but also the fresh, mineral underlying acidity. Drink 2020-2025.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Samuel has not only been able to take back his share of the family vineyards but he has also moved into some excellent premises which he has been refurbishing, in the heart of Chablis. It was good to find him in such a cheerful frame of mind. The long, slow vinification of his 2015s has done the wines a lot of good. We found a concentration of minerality and characteristic saline finishes.

In 2017 this is a blend of mostly Pargues and Cartes, plus a reduced percentage of Bas de Chapelot due to frost. The nose has lifted aromas of citrus fruit while the palate displays lemon-and-lime freshness, with a chalky and saline mineral feel. The lower proportion of Chapelot this year has yielded a more elegant wine. Drink 2019-2025.
Adam Bruntlett - Wine Buyer

The brilliantly talented Samuel Billaud was finding family politics hard going, so he founded his own wine label in Chablis separate from Domaine Billaud-Simon. However, with the sale of Domaine Billaud- Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel has got back a proportion of the vineyards for himself. Whether from domaine sources or purchased grapes, Samuel Billaud’s wines demonstrate his exceptional talent.

Raised 100 percent in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of this southeast-facing slope, this is a wine which is energetic and relatively accessible. The nose is lightly smoky with some citrus notes, while the palate offers ripe peach fruit and refreshing salinity. The finish is fresh, pure and chalky. Drink 2020-2026.

Samuel explains that except for the frost in late April, 2017 was not a very complicated vintage, with no excess rain or heat, and no disease pressure in the vineyards. Worst hit by the cold snap were the vineyards on the rive droite (right bank); the Grands Crus, Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre and some village Chablis. Stylistically Samuel is a big fan of the 2017s, praising them as dynamic, fresh and tight, but with a sunny, accessible edge. Samuel’s wines undoubtedly deserve to be considered some of Chablis’s best.