Domaine Samuel Billaud Chablis Grand Cru Preuses 2021

Description

Product Description: A Grand Cru with razor-edge poise and lasting depth. From one of Chablis’ most respected modern voices, the 2021 Domaine Samuel Billaud Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses is a benchmark Chardonnay carved from one of the appellation’s most revered terroirs. Billaud’s organic approach, early harvesting, and long lees ageing produce a wine of immense clarity and tensile strength. This is Grand Cru Chablis at its most articulate—floral, mineral, and bracingly pure. The Les Preuses vineyard offers a prized mix of east- and west-facing exposures, lending complexity and dimension to the fruit. In 2021, this site yielded a wine of serious intensity, marked by citrus oil, chalky minerality and hints of white flowers and herbs. Billaud’s restrained oak use keeps the focus squarely on fruit and site. Structured for the long haul, this Grand Cru will evolve beautifully through 2041. Serve with fresh scallops, Dover sole or truffled chicken for a true Grand Cru experience. Maker Samuel Billaud is a winemaker renowned for his precision, mastery, and dedication to producing wines that authentically express the complexities of Chablis’ exceptional terroir. Located in the heart of Chablis, with cellars dating back to the 13th century, Samuel Billaud combines the region’s rich history with modern techniques to create wines of remarkable freshness, firm structure, and intense minerality. With a focus on quality, Samuel sources grapes from some of the finest plots in Chablis, including Grand Cru vineyards such as Bougros, Valmur, Les Preuses, and Blanchot, and Premier Cru sites like Les Furnaces. Through a meticulous approach to both vineyard management and winemaking, Samuel ensures that each vintage reveals the true character of the land, producing wines that are complex, precise, and balanced. The Vineyard At Samuel Billaud, the philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for Chablis’ terroir, with the goal of revealing each vineyard’s unique expression through careful and precise winemaking. The estate’s vineyards, with an average age of 40 years, are planted on the Kimmeridgian clay-limestone marl, a soil type that imparts the characteristic minerality and freshness for which Chablis is renowned. The vines are managed using sustainable practices such as disbudding and ploughing, which help preserve the purity of the Chablis terroir while promoting the healthy growth of the vines. Samuel’s sourcing strategy is equally focused on quality, building trusted relationships with local winegrowers to access the best grapes from the region’s most exceptional sites. In the winery, Samuel Billaud is committed to maintaining balance and complexity in every wine. Fermentation is carefully monitored, with a focus on using low-temperature settling and gentle pressing to preserve the delicate flavours of the grapes. For certain Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines, Samuel favours fermentation in 450-litre barrels to add complexity, allowing the wines to interact with the lees and oxygen for optimal balance. Aging on fine lees in large containers enables the wines to develop mineral tension and freshness. After maturation, the wines are transferred to stainless steel vats for several months to emphasise their crispness and vibrancy. Through this process, Samuel Billaud’s wines reveal the true richness, elegance, and potential of the Chablis terroirs, reflecting the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Tasting Notes NOSE – Floral and citrus White blossom and lemon zest, underpinned by savoury herb and chalk. PALATE – Coiled and layered Tightly wound yellow fruit with great mineral tension and subtle creaminess. FINISH – Long and structured Persistent, stony finish with balanced salinity and citrus drive. Reviews & Accolades Light straw yellow. It has a fine and very intense bouquet with floral and fruity notes, citrus and yellow fruit, followed by herbaceous and mineral hints. Good body but not heavy, thanks to the excellent balance of softness and hardness, which make it a harmonious and excellent drink. The finish is persistent and balanced. – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96 Points Finer Details: Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – France Region – Chablis Vintage – 2021 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13% Closure – Cork