Billaud-Simon : Chablis Grand cru "Les Preuses" 2022

Characteristics and tasting advice for Billaud-Simon’s Chablis Grand cru "Les Preuses" 2022

Tasting

Appearance

With a pale yellow hue highlighted by golden reflections, the wine displays a crystalline brilliance characteristic of great Chablis.

Nose

The nose reveals itself with richness and delicacy, expressing remarkable aromatic complexity. Mineral and iodine notes intertwine harmoniously with creamy and floral nuances. Subtle hints of honey accompany suggestions of dried fruits, while citrus aromas bring freshness. With aeration, the bouquet reveals notes of white flowers and white-fleshed fruits.

Palate

On the palate, this wine impresses with its power and precision. The attack is clean and sharply defined, before giving way to a rich and structured mid-palate. The abundance of dry extract lends a generous texture that envelops a vibrant acidity. Citrus flavors, notably lemon and grapefruit, mingle with a chalky and saline minerality characteristic of the Kimmeridgian terroir. The finish lingers long on the palate, evolving toward more savory mineral expressions.

Food and wine pairings

This Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" 2022 pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly oysters and shellfish whose salinity echoes the wine’s iodine character. It also accompanies grilled or sauce-prepared lobster with elegance, delicate simply prepared white fish, as well as fish carpaccio. Roasted poultry served with light sauces and aged goat cheeses also make excellent pairings.

Service and cellaring

Chablis Grand cru "Les Preuses" 2022 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. It is recommended to open the bottle about one hour before serving to allow the wine to fully express itself. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2035, or even beyond for those who appreciate more evolved wines.

A seductive Chablis Grand Cru with freshness and balance

The estate

Founded in 1815 in the heart of the Chablis region in Burgundy, Domaine Billaud-Simon experienced its real expansion after 1945 under the impetus of Jean Billaud and Jules Simon. In 2014, the estate was acquired by the Faiveley family, the prestigious négociant house of Nuits-Saint-Georges, which continues the excellence established by previous generations. Now managed by Olivier Bailly, the estate cultivates 17 hectares of vineyards and has recently embarked on an organic approach.

The vineyard

The Chablis Grand Cru "Les Preuses" comes from a parcel located on the right bank of the Serein, benefiting from an optimal south-southeast exposure. The name "Les Preuses" derives from the word “pierre” (stone), reflecting the particularly stony nature of the soil. The vines sink their roots into a Kimmeridgian terroir composed of clay-limestone marls enriched with marine fossils dating back 155 million years. This unique geology, rich in iodine and minerals, gives the wine its distinctive mineral character and characteristic salinity. The privileged position of this parcel allows optimal ripening of the chardonnay while preserving the freshness and acidity typical of the appellation.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage in Chablis is characterized by remarkable aromatic development, combining mineral freshness with floral complexity. The harvest took place under favorable conditions, allowing particularly expressive aromatic ripeness typical of great vintages.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chablis Grand cru "Les Preuses" 2022 are harvested by hand and gently pressed using a pneumatic press. Vinification is carried out using a combination of vats and barrels, preserving the purity of the fruit while bringing subtle complexity. The aging lasts 12 to 18 months, mainly in older barrels that promote slight oxygenation without masking the expression of the terroir. This respectful approach allows the wine to develop complexity while retaining its mineral character and freshness.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay