2021 Vintage by Christy Canterbury, MW for Tim Atkin

2021 – Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot | 95/100 
This is a small production wine from only 18 ares. Strikingly pure, the refined palate tastes of white peach and honeydew melon with spicy highlights. The singing acidity delivers incredible structural precision to this mid-weight Grand Cru. Drying spring flowers and crushed stones surface on the solid finish. 

2021 – Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses | 95/100
This is tight and focused with an über citrusy nose. The flavors are upfront with Meyer lemon and pluot sprinkled with chalky and spicy tones. Bailly says the old vine patrimony of these vines planted in 1949 is of “inestimable” value to the domaine. This will only become even more rewarding in time, but Bailly says, “Usually it is good young AND old. »

2021 – Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir | 95/100 
This is the one Grand Cru that had been racked, and its open nose and palate suggested that it benefited from that process. Cantaloupe, yellow cherries, citrus peel and oyster shell mingle on the palate. There is a crispy edge to counter the supple, moderately robust mid-palate. This comes from 5o ares spread across both sides of the Vaudésir valley.

2021 – Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos | 94/100
There are only two barrels of this wine, technically an exchange for some domaine Montée de Tonnerre. It fits seamlessly into the domaine’s line-up with its notable Chablisienne flintiness and tip-top fruit purity. Cheeky with its tang and intensity, it boasts layered flavors of lemon curd, sweet cantaloupe and spice. 

2021 – Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 94/100
While the average vine age is about so years, within this cuvée are some of the oldest vines of the domaine, planted about 85 years ago. They add a penetrating intensity to the core of sweet pear fruit. There is crunchy tension leading to the crushed oyster shell finish. This is sheer class.