2023 Samuel Billaud - Chablis Grand Terroir

Samuel Billaud spent nearly twenty years as winemaker for the family estate, Domaine Billaud-Simon, before a generational split led him to found his own house in 2010. He negotiated to keep four hectares of the family's finest vineyards, including prized parcels in Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu and Séchets. Since then Maison Samuel Billaud has become one of Chablis's most admired names, known for wines of remarkable precision and tension.

Les Grands Terroirs is a blend of three village-level plots, Les Pargues, Les Cartes and Chapelot-Bas, the last of which sits just above the grand cru Les Clos. The vines range in age, some planted as far back as the 1950s, on classic Chablis limestone. Each parcel is vinified separately in oak before the final blend is assembled, then the wine rests in stainless steel for several months to sharpen its freshness before bottling.

The nose is refreshingly mineral, with hints of potpourri behind bright citrus fruit. The palate is well balanced, with a saline entry that tightens through the middle before closing on a steely, bitter-lemon finish. It punches well above its village designation. Serve it with grilled langoustines, pan-seared cod, or a young goat cheese.