2023 Chablis Bougros
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Tasting notes
Aged half in old oak and half in stainless steel for a year, followed by six months in tank after blending. There’s real weight and breadth here. Aromas of sweet honey, touches of spice, subtle clove and lemon peel. The fine phenolics give a firmness and structure, framing the mineral intensity and mouthwatering acidity. Muscled and deep – serious stuff.
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru, which comes from a mid-slope parcel, matured in barrel for 12 months plus 6 months in tank. It has a complex nose that blossoms in the glass, with crushed limestone infusing the yellow plum and subtle orange pith scents. This is razor-sharp in terms of definition. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and poised, with a fine bead of acidity, gentle grip and a touch of stem ginger on the finish. This is very closer and surely one to cellor for the long term.
Demonstrative and broad shouldered, Samuel Billaud’s 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros is sourced from a west-facing plot at the top of the climat, near Les Preuses, and is produced from purchased fruit, though Billaud himself decides the harvest date and it’s his team that picks the fruit. Jumping from the glass with aromas of baked bread, spice, peach and pear, it’s ample, textural and giving, laden with tangy acidity and a saline quality that balances the richness of the fruit, concluding with a long, intense finish. It’s aged for a year in barrels, followed by six months in tank.
About the producer
Samuel Billaud started making wine under his own name in 2009, but he is one of the most experienced producers in Chablis, having made wine in the region since 1985.