Samuel Billaud

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.

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, 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.

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 wine is a bin-end, discounted by 20%.
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.

This wine is a bin-end, discounted by 20%.
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.

The majority of this cuvée is from old vines belonging to Samuel. This has a beautiful round style with an incisive Chablisien middle – white peaches, perhaps some yellow plum too; it is very harmonious and satisfying.

Though the viticulture predates the return of his vineyards, Samuel got into his own vines just before the harvest and has thus been able to vinify a larger range than before. So when we visited he was much happier all round, especially with an excellent 2014 harvest in his cellar: healthy grapes and correct yields between 40hl/ha for Grand Cru and 55hl/ha for Chablis.

Old vines from Les Cartes vineyard give the flesh, while Pargues and Chatelots offer dynamic tension with a great core of energy. Pale primrose in colour, with a truly beautiful nose, classical yet full of fruit, this is crystalline, pure, delicious Chablis, with a lovely dancing finish.

Though the viticulture predates the return of his vineyards, Samuel got into his own vines just before the harvest and has thus been able to vinify a larger range than before. So when we visited he was much happier all round, especially with an excellent 2014 harvest in his cellar: healthy grapes and correct yields between 40hl/ha for Grand Cru and 55hl/ha for Chablis.

Fermented and raised for the first year in barrel, this is then transferred to tank for the second winter. The nose is rich and spicy, a touch marked by oak at present. The palate is less encumbered, with masses of concentration and energy leading to a crystalline finish. Terroir will emerge. Drink 2022-2032.

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.

Samuel described the yield as “catastrophic” at just 15hl/ha. The wine itself is outstanding, with extraordinary concentration and richness, all the while remaining refined and elegant with a mineral core. The finish is grainy, with lingering notes of crushed oyster shell and iodine. Very fine indeed. Drink 2023-2035.

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.

From 100 percent domaine fruit made up of two plots on either side of the valley, this is vinified and matured in older barrels. Fine, pure and pale in colour, this has the faintest touch of coconut yet is pure, fine and complex. A few lemongrass notes, and a strong sense of marine minerals – this is long and lovely.

Though the viticulture predates the return of his vineyards, Samuel got into his own vines just before the harvest and has thus been able to vinify a larger range than before. So when we visited he was much happier all round, especially with an excellent 2014 harvest in his cellar: healthy grapes and correct yields between 40hl/ha for Grand Cru and 55hl/ha for Chablis.

From the first whiffs of salty, smoky reduction, it’s clear that this is a serious wine. The saline theme continues on the palate, where it is joined by confit lemon and serious concentration. Yielding just 20hl/ha, the only disappointment is that there is relatively little of this wine. Drink 2021-2029