2008 Domaine Billaud-Simon et Fils Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Lime, gentian, as well as intimations of ocean breeze and quarry dust in the nose of Billaud’s 2008 Chablis Les Clos transfer to a palate that strikingly combines density and lift; richness and bright refreshment. This is firm in feel and displays site-typical finishing chalk and white pepper, hardened a bit by being on its finings yet admirably energetic and superbly persistent. Expect it to be much-improved short term as well as fascinating to follow over the coming 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
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good pale color. Cool, classic aromas of lime, lemon, crushed stone, mint and spices. Dense, sappy and high-pitched, with ineffable treble notes of violet and lavender. With its penetrating acidity and minerality, this really stains the palate and builds on the back half, without leaving any impression of weight. Almost tannic on the finish today and in need of a decade of cellaring. Superb.
Not yet bottled and showing a little CO2. Cool and stony and restrained with a vague hint of creaminess on the nose. But on the palate, lovely intensity and depth of taut citrus fruit, pure and lemony but not simple, even though it is such a baby. Very long. Fresh acidity better balanced by the weight of fruit than on the Tête d’Or. (JH)