Samuel Billaud
Mont de Milieu Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay
Chablis, Burgundy, France
My first time here in Chablis! I chose to have with dinner (Wine Not, a fantastic wine bar & restaurant in Chablis) a bottle from a winemaker who doesn’t need a great deal of introduction nowadays. Samuel Billaud has fast become one of the region’s most exciting winemakers, so I was eager to try something of his. This was on the list for the veritable bargain of €65. Mont de Milieu is a premier cru from the right bank of the Sereine, a vineyard which shares a very similar aspect, and soils, to Les Clos. The 2020 here is a wine of immense presence, structure, classicism, with a slight hedonistic character. The flavours lean toward the fuller side of the spectrum, with flavours of marzipan, orange peel and fresh cut marmalade, with a hint of honey. But there is terrific zip on entry, incredible minerality; any weight to this wine is lean, muscular and structured, possessing deft acidity, a lovely herbaceous quality (think tomato vine) and a finish to die for. I’ve immediately bought four bottles of this back home and can’t wait to enjoy it again.
My first time here in Chablis! I chose to have with dinner (Wine Not, a fantastic wine bar & restaurant in Chablis) a bottle from a winemaker who doesn’t need a great deal of introduction nowadays. Samuel Billaud has fast become one of the region’s most exciting winemakers, so I was eager to try something of his. This was on the list for the veritable bargain of €65. Mont de Milieu is a premier cru from the right bank of the Sereine, a vineyard which shares a very similar aspect, and soils, to Les Clos. The 2020 here is a wine of immense presence, structure, classicism, with a slight hedonistic character. The flavours lean toward the fuller side of the spectrum, with flavours of marzipan, orange peel and fresh cut marmalade, with a hint of honey. But there is terrific zip on entry, incredible minerality; any weight to this wine is lean, muscular and structured, possessing deft acidity, a lovely herbaceous quality (think tomato vine) and a finish to die for. I’ve immediately bought four bottles of this back home and can’t wait to enjoy it again.
Oct 17th, 2024
The 2021 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru was bottled the previous May. It is still obdurate and backward on the nose with touches of yellow fruit and a hint of white peach. The palate is taut and fresh, very saline, but perhaps it doesn't quite deliver the knockout finish I expected from barrel, hence my slightly lower score. Still a serious Chablis, though. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2023)
The 2021 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru was bottled the previous May. It is still obdurate and backward on the nose with touches of yellow fruit and a hint of white peach. The palate is taut and fresh, very saline, but perhaps it doesn't quite deliver the knockout finish I expected from barrel, hence my slightly lower score. Still a serious Chablis, though. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2023)
Apples. SO2. Simple
Apples. SO2. Simple
May 24th, 2015
Lemon, orange oil, green apple, sea spray, med body, med + acidity
Lemon, orange oil, green apple, sea spray, med body, med + acidity
Jul 20th, 2023
Tres belle bouteille. Nez fruits blanc et floral, gras en bouche, belle texture, coté salin, roches, minéral. C’est tres bon.
Tres belle bouteille. Nez fruits blanc et floral, gras en bouche, belle texture, coté salin, roches, minéral. C’est tres bon.
Apr 4th, 2021
Wow...a coup de coeur. For a 1er cru it has the stuffing of a grand cru. Very long aftertaste with all the power upfront.
Wow...a coup de coeur. For a 1er cru it has the stuffing of a grand cru. Very long aftertaste with all the power upfront.
Jul 11th, 2020
A nice representation of Chablis but came up a little short on the finish. Expected more.
A nice representation of Chablis but came up a little short on the finish. Expected more.
Sep 5th, 2017