B-21 Top Recommendation
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Counted "alongside the likes of Raveneau and Vincent Dauvissat" according to Neal Martin of Vinous, these small production 2021 Chablis selections from Maison Samuel Billaud exhibit intriguing depth, precision and tension throughout the entire range, crafted by Samuel Billaud to reflect the uniqueness of their Kimmeridgian soil origins and an exceptional value for Chablis fans and collectors of age worthy White Burgundy.
Leaving his family's domain after over two decades as head winemaker, Samuel Billaud began crafting wines under his own name in 2009, securing some of his family's top parcels after the eventual sale of Domaine Billaud-Simon to Faiveley in 2014 and rapidly emerging "as one of the town's best half-dozen producers" according to the Wine Advocate's Willian Kelley. Working with four hectares of organically farmed estate vineyards and long-term grower relationships, Billaud employs early manual harvesting followed by fermentation in tank or neutral oak, crafting his wines under the medieval ramparts of the village of Chablis. Maturing the wines on the lees for longer than typical, Billaud employs a minimum of 12 months for his village wines and up to 18 months for his Premier and Grand Crus, yielding fresh, bright flavors with a creamy brioche nuance and enticing flinty minerality. A blend of three different parcels, the 91 pt. 2021 Samuel Billaud Chablis offers engaging citrusy aromas and fine, crisp acidity, a classically styled Chablis that's a delicious introduction to Billaud's range. Sourced from a parcel of 70-year old vines with a south and east exposure, Billaud vinified the 94 pt. 2021 Samuel Billaud Vaillons Vieilles Vignes Chablis 1er Cru in stainless steel for 15 months, balancing acidity and minerality with "an abundance of classic Chablis elements" summed up as "impressive" by Burghound and promising to age over a decade or more. Coming from a south-facing .45 hectare parcel on the steep hillside lieu-dit, the 94 pt. 2021 Samuel Billaud Mont de Milieu Chablis 1er Cru is "a serious Chablis" according to Neal Martin of Vinous, while the 94 pt. 2021 Samuel Billaud Montee de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru is summed up as "lovely stuff" by Burghound, both matured mostly in stainless steel and around 20% in large oak barrels to reveal rich, textural depth on an elegant, lengthy finish and built to evolve over the next decade.
Creating some of the most elegant and evocative Chablis from the 2021 vintage, these Samuel Billaud Chablis selections represent the upper echelon of quality while ranking among the region's greatest bargains for White Burgundy lovers and collectors - echoing the words of Neal Martin of Vinous, "Quite simply, Samuel Billaud is one of the best producers in Chablis at the moment. If you have not discovered the wines, what are you waiting for?" | 
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