Product Description
Renowned as one of Chablis' most outstanding producers, Samuel Billaud has become synonymous with precision and elegance in winemaking. Known for his exceptional ability to reveal the true character of Chablis’ diverse terroirs, Billaud crafts wines that showcase balance, complexity, and unparalleled finesse. His Petit Chablis is a shining example of this artistry, offering a wine that is both vibrant and refined.
This 2022 Petit Chablis is a reflection of Billaud's commitment to quality. The grapes are carefully selected from well-managed vineyards, where yields are controlled to concentrate the flavor of the grapes. Samuel Billaud's meticulous harvesting technique ensures that each plot of grapes is picked at its optimal ripeness, contributing to the depth and precision of this wine.
After harvest, the grapes are quickly pressed, and the resulting juice undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in small stainless-steel tanks, where it matures for 12 months on its fine lees. This method enhances the natural texture and minerality of the wine, resulting in a Petit Chablis that defies expectations.
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 – Fresh and Lively
Fresh citrus and mineral aromas, underpinned by subtle hints of white flowers. There’s a delicate touch of stone fruit, with layers of crisp freshness that promise vibrancy and clarity.
PALATE – Crisp and Fleshy
A delightful combination of richness and freshness. Fleshy, with flavours of ripe citrus, green apple, and a touch of floral complexity. Smooth and balanced, with a harmonious interplay between the vibrant acidity and gentle minerality.
FINISH – Long and Clean
Clean and precise, with lingering notes of fresh citrus and a hint of saline minerality that leaves the palate refreshed. Satisfying length and a remarkable balance that makes it highly enjoyable.
Reviews + Accolades:
Lively and pure, the Petit Chablis from Samuel Billaud is reminiscent of more focused wines from Kimmeridgian soils. The aromas range from gooseberry to lemon peel and white peaches; there is a distinct flinty mineral note. The texture is not heavy, but the finish has surprising persistence. The grapes are from a parcel of 0.60ha planted by his father in 1976 on the Portlandian plateau at the top of the grand cru slope of Sur Les Clos. - Decanter, 92 Points.
Pale lemon colour. Who would have thought this was merely a Petit Chablis when you put the glass to your nose? Quite fleshy now with a few months bottle age, but delivering a delicious full-bodied Petit Chablis. - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy, 90 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Chablis
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%
