Billaud-Simon Chablis Les Vaillons 2022

The 2022 Chablis 1er Cru "Les Vaillons" from Domaine Billaud-Simon brilliantly showcases how this historic estate continues to produce benchmark Chablis under the guidance of the Faiveley family. This exceptional Premier Cru offering combines the pristine fruit and perfect balance of the outstanding 2022 vintage with the estate's signature precision and mineral intensity.

In the glass, the wine displays a pale golden color with subtle green reflections—the classic visual signature of pure Chablis. The brilliant clarity and luminosity suggest perfect ripeness while maintaining the variety's characteristic restraint.

The nose is immediately captivating with its sophisticated bouquet of citrus fruits—lemon zest, white grapefruit, and green apple—complemented by delicate floral notes of white blossoms and fresh herbs. With aeration, the wine's mineral character emerges prominently: wet stone, crushed seashells, and that distinctive flinty reduction that defines classic Chablis. The subtle integration of high-quality oak (only 15% for this cuvée) provides textural support without masking the wine's pristine fruit or profound mineral expression.

On the palate, this 2022 Les Vaillons delivers remarkable concentration balanced by vibrant energy. Medium to full-bodied with exceptional textural depth and dimension, the wine combines generous orchard and citrus fruit flavors with a crystalline acid structure that provides tension and drive. What truly distinguishes this bottling is its perfect equilibrium between the generous fruit of the vintage and the distinctive saline mineral quality that reflects the Kimmeridgian limestone soils of Vaillons.

The finish is extraordinarily long and focused, gradually transitioning from pure fruit to intense mineral notes that linger with remarkable persistence. A subtle saline quality enhances the wine's refreshing character and food-friendly profile.

Production Notes

Les Vaillons is one of Chablis' most respected premier cru vineyards, located on the left bank of the Serein river. This southwest-facing site features the classic Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils rich in marine fossils that give Chablis its distinctive mineral character. The 2022 vintage in Chablis was characterized by ideal growing conditions that produced wines with exceptional balance between ripeness and acidic structure.

Under the Faiveley family's stewardship, Billaud-Simon has maintained the estate's traditional approach while implementing subtle improvements in both vineyard and cellar. Grapes are harvested by hand and pressed gently in pneumatic presses. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks with natural yeasts, with approximately 15% of the wine finishing fermentation and aging in neutral French oak barrels (3-5 years old) to enhance textural complexity without adding overt oak flavors. The wine remains on its fine lees for 14-16 months before bottling, adding depth and complexity while preserving freshness.

Why We Love It

The 2022 Chablis Les Vaillons from Billaud-Simon represents an exceptional opportunity to experience premier cru Chablis from one of the region's historic producers in a vintage that perfectly balances concentration and mineral precision. While prices for many premium white Burgundies have escalated dramatically in recent years, Chablis—particularly from producers of Billaud-Simon's caliber—continues to offer remarkable value.

What sets this wine apart is its perfect balance between classic Chablis character and the generous fruit of the 2022 vintage. The combination of precise mineral expression, vibrant acidity, and concentrated fruit creates a wine that delivers tremendous pleasure now while having the structure to develop greater complexity over the next 7-10 years. For collectors seeking world-class white Burgundy without the premium pricing of the Côte de Beaune, this wine deserves serious consideration.

Perfect Pairings

The wine's precision, mineral intensity, and vibrant acidity make it an exceptional partner for seafood. Classic pairings include oysters on the half shell, grilled Dover sole, or seared scallops. The wine's concentration also allows it to complement richer dishes like lobster with drawn butter or roasted chicken with lemon and herbs. For a particularly memorable experience, pair with shellfish plateaus or traditional Burgundian dishes like pike-perch in beurre blanc sauce.

Technical Details

• Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru
• Vineyard: Les Vaillons
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Alcohol: 13%
• Aging: 14-16 months on fine lees (85% in stainless steel, 15% in neutral French oak)
• Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone-clay
• Optimal Drinking Window: 2024-2032
• Direct Import: Temperature-controlled shipping from the domaine