Chablis Tête d'or
2022
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...
See the BILLAUD-SIMON detail page for more information on this brand
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.
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.
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.
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%).
See detailed press review
(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.
See detailed press review