Guide Hachette 2004 - France - 
................2001 Vintage...................
Chablis cuvée Tête d'Or 2001
" Golden head: is it a litterary reference to Claudel who has a tenderness for Yonne wine ?
Elegant and of astonishing concentration, this clear golden Chablis respects a perfect balance from the attack. Volume, lenght and complexity give a wine in peak condition and fit to two or three ageing."
Chablis Premier Cru MONTÉE DE TONNERRE 2001
" Between Mont de Milieu 2001 and Montée de Tonnerre same vintage, the notes are equal and can be placed at the same level. On a fresh fruit start, the first one is generous and powerful. The second one sings honey and hazelnut, of a delicate nuance. It has fulness, richness and vivacity which is real but regular. Perfect typicity."
Chablis Premier Cru Les VAILLONS 2001
Chablis Premier Cru FOURCHAUME 2001
Coup de coeur 2004 Chablis Grand Cru Les BLANCHOTS vieille vigne 2001
" The absolute winner of the tasting of the grand jury' s judgement. Already coup de coeur in 2001 parution for Vaudésir 98 in the 1996 Guide for Les Preuses 92. Obvious high top quality and at the paradise of the appellation. Vivacity and freshness, a tight texture for these Blanchots with wonderful controlled power, a sense of detail in the nose as in the mouth. " The purity of the kimmeridgien " wrote a jury member. Go for it. It's expensive but very good. Worthy of lobster and bass."

THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE BEST FRENCH WINES 2004 - France
By Bettane & Desseauve

Chablis 2001
" The remarkable success of the domaine, in this difficult vintage 2001, confirms its actual control of the vinification. The wines have the elegance and the purety resuired by their great origins. Contrary to our habit, we keep on prefering the wines vinified in stainless steel tank to the ones vinified in oak barrel, the balance being not as perfect as it is in other producers, at least at the beginning of their lives. We confess our weakness for a wonderful cuvée Les Clos, splendidly robust for the vintage and of a great nobility of style. "

The notes upon 10:

Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots vieille vigne 2001 ( 7,5 )
Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2001  ( 8,5 )
Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2001  ( 8 )
Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir 2001  ( 8 )
Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2001  ( 8 )
Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu 2001  ( 8,5 )
Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu vieille vigne 2001 ( 8,5 )
Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2001  ( 7,5 )
Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons 2001  ( 7,5 )
Chablis Tête d'Or 2001 ( 7,5 )
Petit Chablis 2001  ( 7,5 )

Burghound.com
- October 2002

Domaine Billaud-Simon (Chablis)
2001 CHABLIS WHITE (83-86)
2001 CHABLIS LES CLOS
     - GRAND CRU WHITE (89-91)
2001 CHABLIS MONT DE MILIEU 
        - PREMIER CRU WHITE (86-89)
2001 CHABLIS MONTEE DE TONNERRE 
        - PREMIER CRU WHITE (87-90)
2001 CHABLIS LES VAILLONS 
        - PREMIER CRU WHITE (85-87)

2001 CHABLIS PREMIER CRU
MONTÉE DE TONNERRE:

( from 35 year old vines )
" There is more of everything here with intense, pure, fresh and racy fruit and flavors that offer excellent power. This is classic Chablis in style and though this is not austere, it is certainly more reserved than any of the prior wines. I particularly liked the finishing intensity and this is positively  brimming with minerality. A success for the vintage. " ( 87-90 )
( I also tasted a second sample from 70 years old vines that will compromise about one-third of the final blend and though it was slightly more concentrated, the essential character was unchanged )."

2001 CHABLIS GRAND CRU
VAUDÉSIR

( from a 43 ha parcel of 40 year old vines )
" Slightly sweet, rather fruity notes introduce big, rich, relatively powerful and nicely chiseled flavors that deliver real volume. This is both well muscled and intense and delivers excellent minerality in a medium weight package. Classy, fine and discreet and although it is not distinctly better then the Montée de Tonnerre at this point. I suspect it will develop slightly more complexity with botlle age. " ( 88-90 )

2001 CHABLIS GRAND CRU
LES CLOS
( from a 47 ha parcel of 60+ year old vines )
" Bigger and richer than the Vaudésir with beautifully intense and nicely pure aromas that have less obvious sweetness to them. The flavors are thick, indeed almost chewy in texture with a wet stones and intense minerality to them and this has a fine, long, persistent finish. This is very good if not exceptional for the vintage and shoud repay 4 to 6 years of cellar time. " ( 88-91 )

2001 CHABLIS
"Classic Chablis nose with soft, almost discreet fruit with fresh, clean, bright flavors and a zesty lemon/citrus and mineral-laden finish. Correct if not special and this should benefit from a year or two of cellar time."
( 83-86 )

2001 CHABLIS PREMIER CRU
LES VAILLONS
" Generous, full nose of white flowers and a hint of hte exotic with pretty, clean, fresh flavors well supported by integrated acidity. This too is zesty and crisp with good if not special persistence and I suspect it will come around rather quickly. " ( 85-87 )

2001 CHABLIS PREMIER CRU
MONT DE MILIEU

( from 35 year old vines )
" Already quite expressive with lightly spiced, very fresh fruit and a hint of the same exotic notes found in the Vaillons. This is also racier with lovely Chablis flavors and a fine, understated character to the complex, fine finish. A clear step up. " 
( 86-89 )

DINA VINER - Number 3 - 2003 - Sweden

Chablis Haute Tradition 2001
Note 90/100 ++
" The nose is fresh with green apples, citrus and minerals. The taste is fresh and fruity with a clinging young fruit, fine balance, whith hints of green apples, pears, grapefruit, melon, citrus and minerals. This is a crisp and elegant wine, with a pure, fresh fruit and minerals. Drink 03 - 06. "

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