2022 Chablis Mont de Milieu
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Tasting notes
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 from 2027-2035. Tasted Jun 2024.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru has a pretty, tightly-wound bouquet, with touches of grilled walnut and hazelnut– perhaps earthier than other cuvées. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and saline, harmonious with touches of praline toward the finish. That said, it wasn't my pick from barrel last year and it doesn't deliver the length of other cuvées.
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. (JH)
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.