2019 Chablis Montee de Tonnerre
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru has a clean and precise nose that is conservative compared to its peers but unfolds with time in the glass. There is some SO2, however, that hasn't entirely bound. The palate is balanced with a chewy entry, a bit of solids here, grippy yet missing just a touch of elegance and precision on the bitter-edged finish. Yet overall, this has great potential. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is excellent, unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus zest, white flowers, wet stones, crushed chalk and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's intense and tightly wound, with a racy spine of acidity and chalky grip. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, this is another wine from Billaud that will merit and reward some patience.
Moderate but not invasive oak frames the elegant, airy and quite pretty aromas of white flowers, various citrus and oyster shell wisps. There is excellent intensity to the overtly mineral-driven middle weight flavors that flash very good cut on the sneaky long, lemony and solidly dry and firm finale. This lovely effort is a relatively classic MdT and should age accordingly. 2027+
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.