Billaud-Simon Chablis Mont de Milieu 2022

The 2022 Chablis 1er Cru "Mont de Milieu" from Domaine Billaud-Simon represents the perfect intersection of terroir and vintage, showcasing why this east-facing premier cru is often considered one of Chablis' most distinguished sites. Under the Faiveley family's careful stewardship, this historic estate continues to produce benchmark wines that balance classic Chablis character with the perfect ripeness of this exceptional vintage.

In the glass, the wine displays a brilliant pale gold color with crystalline clarity and subtle green highlights at the rim—the visual hallmark of pure, site-specific Chablis. The luminosity suggests perfect ripeness while maintaining the characteristic restraint that defines the appellation.

The nose opens with sophisticated layers of citrus—Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and ripe yellow apple—complemented by delicate floral notes of acacia and fresh white blossoms. With aeration, the wine's mineral character emerges with breathtaking precision: wet limestone, crushed oyster shells, and that distinctive gunflint reduction that defines top-tier Chablis. The judicious use of neutral oak (approximately 20% for this cuvée) contributes subtle complexity without masking the wine's profound terroir expression.

On the palate, this 2022 Mont de Milieu delivers remarkable concentration with laser-like precision. Medium to full-bodied with exceptional textural richness, the wine combines generous orchard fruit flavors with a crystalline mineral backbone that provides tension and extraordinary length. What truly distinguishes this bottling is its perfect balance between power and finesse—a hallmark of the Mont de Milieu vineyard that benefits tremendously from the perfect ripeness of the 2022 vintage.

The finish is extraordinarily persistent and complex, gradually transitioning from pure fruit to intense saline minerality that lingers with remarkable clarity. An almost saline quality emerges on the finish, enhancing the wine's overall freshness and food-pairing versatility.

Production Notes

Mont de Milieu is one of Chablis' most distinguished premier cru vineyards, located on the right bank of the Serein river adjacent to the grand cru slopes. This east-facing site captures the morning sun while being protected from afternoon heat, creating perfect conditions for slow, even ripening. The vineyard's classic Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils are particularly rich in fossilized marine organisms, contributing to the wine's distinctive mineral character.

The 2022 vintage in Chablis delivered ideal growing conditions—warm but not excessively hot days balanced by cool nights—producing wines with exceptional concentration while maintaining the vibrant acidity and mineral precision that define great Chablis.

At Billaud-Simon, grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and pressed gently in pneumatic presses to preserve freshness and purity. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, with approximately 20% 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 and terroir expression.

Why We Love It

The 2022 Chablis Mont de Milieu from Billaud-Simon exemplifies why knowledgeable Burgundy collectors increasingly turn to premier cru Chablis for exceptional quality-to-price ratio. While comparable white Burgundies from the Côte de Beaune often command twice the price or more, this distinguished premier cru from one of Chablis' historic producers delivers world-class quality at a fraction of the cost.

What distinguishes this bottling is its perfect balance between classic Chablis mineral precision and the generous fruit of the exceptional 2022 vintage. The combination of profound site 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 decade. For collectors seeking authentic, terroir-driven white Burgundy without the premium pricing of more famous appellations, this wine represents an exceptional opportunity.

Perfect Pairings

The wine's precision, mineral intensity, and textural richness make it an exceptional companion for sophisticated seafood dishes. Classic pairings include Dover sole meunière, butter-poached lobster, or pan-seared sea scallops. The wine's concentration also allows it to complement richer fare like roasted free-range chicken or veal in cream sauce. For a particularly memorable experience, pair with a plateau de fruits de mer featuring oysters, crab, and langoustines, or traditional Burgundian dishes like pike quenelles in beurre blanc.

Technical Details

• Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru
• Vineyard: Mont de Milieu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Aging: 14-16 months on fine lees (80% in stainless steel, 20% in neutral French oak)
• Soil: Kimmeridgian limestone-clay with abundant marine fossils
• Optimal Drinking Window: 2024-2035
• Direct Import: Temperature-controlled shipping from the domaine