Chablis Tête d'or 2023

BILLAUD-SIMON

Chablis Tête d'or
2023

  • In conversion
Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Burgundy
Subregion
Yonne
Appellation
Chablis
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Alcohol percentage
12%
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Domaine Billaud-Simon has been producing Chablis wines since 1815 and are known for their mineral driven, pure, elegant and fresh Chablis. The Domaine was created by Charles Louis Noël Billaud in 1815 following his return to his family’s land from the Napoleonic wars. His wines quickly garnered a reputation for quality wines. The Domaine’s vineyard holdings grew quite considerably in the 1930’s following the marriage of Charles Louis’ grandson, Jean Billaud to Renée Simon. Jean...

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Product notes

The Ambassador of the Domaine, the Chablis ‘Tête d’Or’ is a wine of ‘Gold and Light’ par excellence! For over 10 years, this prestige cuvée has been produced from the Domaine’s very best parcels planted in the village appellation and situated next to the Premiers and Grands Crus.

Production notes

The grapes are picked and sorted manually on a vibrating sorting table to retain only the healthiest fruit. The grapes are drained naturally before being pressed using a pneumatic press gently to extract the juices and conserve as much aroma as possible. Static cold settling of the musts for 12 to 24 hours in stainless steel vats to obtain a bright, clear juice. Alcoholic fermentation is followed by malolactic fermentation, both natural, in stainless steel vats. The wine is then aged for 12 months with a short period spent in French oak barrels for around 20% of the cuvée, as is the case for our Grands Crus, to impart complexity and richness.

Tasting notes

Beautiful white gold hue and delicate pale green reflections. The nose discloses aromas of citrus and white flowers. The palate is rich, smooth and opulent with the perfect balance between a smooth texture, lively acidity, discreet minerality and fruit.

Press reviews

Decanter

- 93 points -

September 2024 (Vintage 2023)

This luxurious, rich Chablis merits its name, 'Golden Head', with its rich apricot and quince nose, hints of cream and spice and a dense, sensual texture. A slight point of pleasant bitterness brings freshness on the palate. This wine will likely please lovers of a Côte d'Or style, and although it lacks the chiselled character loved by some, it has its own unique charm. The grapes are from nearly 3ha of vines in the L’Araignée and Le Bas de Chapelot parcels, located at the base of premier cru Montée de Tonnerre.

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Decanter

- 92 points -

October 2023 (Vintage 2022)

Very golden in both colour and character. Plenty of spice notes at the moment, along with crisp acidity. Will be very classy. More than a touch of Chassagne about this. Longer maturation than the 'straight' Chablis, the best plots go into this. Maturation partly in tank, partly in barrels (25%).

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Wine Spectator

- 91 points -

September 2024 (Vintage 2022)

A whiff of banana gives way to flavors of peach, melon and yellow flowers in this silky white. Its vibrant structure focuses the flavors on the long aftertaste, where a mineral note peeks through. 

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Burghound.com

(89-91) Points

October 2024 (Vintage 2023)

(from 2 parcels situated in the village of Bas de Chapelot raised in 25 to 30% five+ year old wood). There is enough wood to merit pointing out on the more floral-suffused nose that reflects notes of pear, wet stone and a hint of algae. The sleek, intense and precise medium-bodied flavors possess fine mid-palate density while delivering notably better depth and persistence on the more compact and youthfully austere finale. If you like a bit of wood in your Chablis, and have the patience to wait for 3 to 5 years, the Billaud Tête d’Or is almost always excellent with time in bottle.

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Burghound.com

(89-92) Points

October 2023 (Vintage 2022)

(from 2 parcels situated in the villages Bas de Chapelot raised in 25 to 30% five+ year old wood). A discreet dollop of wood sets off a similar set of aromas that offer a hint of iodine. The mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors is also sleek and vibrant with a slightly finer texture that carries over to the balanced, youthfully austere and slightly more compact finale. This is very good for its level and also worth considering.

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