2022 Chablis, Mont de Milieu, 1er Cru, Samuel Billaud, Burgundy

Tank sample. 20% of the final wine is fermented and aged in oak, then blended after one year and kept in tank on fine lees for another six months but because the barrels were still going through malo at the time of this tasting, this is just the tank part.

Salty freshness on the nose. Piercing green fruits and citrus and a hint of dried grasses. On the palate, mouth-coating creaminess and a light grain that appears to soften the acidity. Terrific clarity and precision. 

Drink 2024 - 2032

From a .58 ha holding that encompasses the three levels of the vineyard.

As one would expect in a vintage like 2022, there is a suggestion of the exotic lurking in the background of the ripe nose of white-fleshed fruit, wet stone and shellfish scents. The rich, full-bodied and overtly powerful medium weight plus flavors coat the palate with sappy dry extract while delivering fine length on the balanced finale. This does however need to develop more depth though that should reasonably occur if allowed at least a few years of bottle aging. Worth checking out.

Drink 2030+

Bottled in May after 18 months. Clear pale colour with a little light lime touch. This stands back, suggesting that it really needs to be kept. Samuel Billaud has moved to DIAM 30 with that in mind. Exceptional density, based around the dry extract, a little lick of oak, this has barely begun to touch its full potential.

Drink 2027 - 2034