Chablis Les Preuses Grand cru
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...
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This parcel takes its name from the word ‘pierre’ meaning ‘stone’. La perrière was the old French term for a quarry. ‘Les Preuses’ are situated alongside an ancient Roman road. Over time ‘la pierreuse’ became ‘la Preuse’. The 41 acre parcel is on a combination of marls and Kimmeridgian limestone.
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. 15 to 18 months in stainless steel vats with, if necessary, some time spent in French oak barrels to preserve freshness and minerality whilst bringing complexity and richness to the wine. The wine is racked twice before being bottled at the end of Autumn.
Light yellow in colour with golden reflections. The nose is rich yet delicate with mineral, creamy, ¬oral and slightly iodized notes combined with a touch of honey and dried fruits. The palate reveals a direct attack and a powerful, well-honed and distinctive mid-palate. This wine offers a remarkable refl¬ection of its clay terroir. Aromas of citrus blend harmoniously with mineral and iodized notes from its outstanding terroir.
Billaud-Simon always produces a super-classy Les Preuses. A more restrained, racy style of grand cru. Less wood evident here, which lets the ripeness of the fruit shine through. Very nice acidity. Lots of enjoyment and mineral notes to finish. Long and elegant. 70-year-old vines from one plot. Three barrels used in 2022, with a small proportion (13%) of new oak.
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(from a .41 ha parcel of vines planted in 1952). In the same fashion as the Les Clos, very generous wood influence stops just short of overshadowing the attractively spicy and floral nose of shellfish, sea breeze and quinine. The medium-bodied flavors are rich to the point of opulence thanks to the abundance of sappy dry extract that also serves to buffer the firm acid spine shaping the wonderfully complex, persistent and balanced finale. This is oakier than I prefer but the density is such that if given time, it should successfully integrate. Excellent.
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