2008 Chablis Les Preuses
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Quite exotic – as I have come to expect from this cru at this address – the Billaud-Simon 2008 Chablis Preuses is almost Gewurztraminer-like in its litchi and spice notes, which accent a luscious pineapple and peach. But for all of its forward fruitiness and sense of breadth, there is a strong sense of minerality to this wine, albeit one more adamantly chalky than I anticipated. It finishes persistently and generously, if just a bit lacking in focus or juiciness when compared with the terrific corresponding Vaudesir. Here is probably an instance of the wine having been knocked off-kilter by its very recent fining. This deserves revisiting and will probably prove capable of entertaining nobly for the better part of a decade. Bernard Billaud agreed this year to show me his young grand crus in advance of their anticipated May or June bottling, even though they were on their finings. In addition, I was able to have my first taste of his 2007 grand crus. Imported by Langdon Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900
Critic scores
Average Score
David Schildknecht, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow. Very subtle, fruit-driven nose combines peach, nectarine and orange scents. Then rather fat and sweet, but with less precision and cut than the Vaudesir. Seems more accessible today, but less complex. Slightly salty on the lingering finish.
Quite exotic – as I have come to expect from this cru at this address – the Billaud-Simon 2008 Chablis Preuses is almost Gewurztraminer-like in its litchi and spice notes, which accent a luscious pineapple and peach. But for all of its forward fruitiness and sense of breadth, there is a strong sense of minerality to this wine, albeit one more adamantly chalky than I anticipated. It finishes persistently and generously, if just a bit lacking in focus or juiciness when compared with the terrific corresponding Vaudesir. Here is probably an instance of the wine having been knocked off-kilter by its very recent fining. This deserves revisiting and will probably prove capable of entertaining nobly for the better part of a decade. Oct 2010, www.robertparker.com