2014 Chablis Les Sechets
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the Burgfest annual tasting, the 2014 Chablis 1er Cru Séchet has a much more reserved bouquet than its peers served in this flight, yet there is outstanding definition and precision here, real mineralité and terroir expression. The palate is well balanced with touches of fresh lime and grapefruit on the entry. The acidity was very well judged and boasts a lip-smacking salinity on the persistent finish. This is a superb Chablis from Samuel Billaud.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(from Billaud's own vines, which range in age from 60 to 70 years): Pale yellow-green. Aromas of pink grapefruit and iodiney minerality, lifted by a peppery topnote. Creamy, tactile and large-scaled, showing superb energy to its mineral, mint and spice flavors. Began a bit disjointed but harmonized nicely and opened in the glass. Finishes saline, chewy and very long. Billaud compares this wine in style to a Montée de Tonnerre.
Pale yellow. Pure, slightly high-toned aromas of pineapple, stone fruits and crushed-stone minerality, lifted by lemon and orange zest. Pristine, adamantly mineral wine with terrific intensity and framing acidity to its yellow peach and apricot flavors. A real fruit bomb in the context of the vintage but with brisk, firm-edged minerality giving terrific chewy grip to the sexy lingering orange and apricot flavors. I suspect that a few years in bottle will bring greater harmony to the wine's pungent fruit and mineral elements.
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.