Samuel Billaud

This comes from three plots, Bas de Chapelots, Pargues and Cartes. Samuel picked the hailed parts on 3^rd September, then the rest a few days later. There is a little touch of youthful bitterness which gives way to a fine-boned, well-constructed Chablis, with plenty of energy. Drink 2018-2021.
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.

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.

The wine is made with three plots: 60-year-old vines at the top, 30 in the middle and 80 at the bottom. Samuel noted that the grapes were beautifully golden but even so the wine has come through with a fine, fresh quality. Indeed there is a steely intensity to this. It has perfect balance, long and concentrated. Drink 2019-2023.
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.

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.

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.

Until 31st August this product is discounted by 20%*

The 2015 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros has a splendid bouquet with a very subtle reductive note. There is real delineation and poise here, with walnut and smoke emerging with time and struck flint emerging later. The palate is well defined with a fine bead of acidity (although the acidity level is lower than in Blanchot). Touches of blackcurrant leaf and quince dovetail into a very energetic finish that lingers for over a minute. Superb.
Neal Martin - 31/08/2017

From 40-year-old vines in the Côte des Bougerots and vinified in two 450-litre barrels for ferment and the first year of élevage, then spends six months in tank before being bottled unfiltered. There is no new oak here; one barrel being one year old, the other three years old. The nose is fascinating, quite toasty with rich fruit and aromas of hazelnuts and smoke. The palate offers excellent concentration and splendid peach fruit. This feels surprisingly accessible, with a saline and iodine finish. Outstanding.


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The 2015 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot was reduced to just three barrels in this vintage due to hail on 31 August that stripped the vines of leaves. It was Samuel's first vinification of this vineyard within his own company. Matured in five-year-old barrels, it is more austere on the nose than the Bougros and demands more coaxing from the glass-it remains stern and steely. The palate is saline on the entry, well balanced with a crisp line of acidity, fresh and vibrant but just needing a little more body on the finish.
Neal Martin - 31/08/2017

Samuel's Blanchots provides more freshness and minerality than his Bougrots. The nose has a discreet finesse that feels noble and refined. Fermented and then raised in four to five-year-old barrels for a year before spending six months in tank. There is a classic, mineral tension to this wine that screams Chablis. Very linear and mineral, this is one for the Chablis purists.

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.

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.

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.