Billaud-Simon : Chablis 1er cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for the Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2022 from Billaud-Simon

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a crystalline pale yellow hue, sometimes enhanced by subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals mineral and fruity aromas accompanied by a few delicate floral notes. Mineral notes dominate, evoking slate, flint and gunflint. The aromatic profile gradually unfolds with aromas of lime, fresh lemon and white grapefruit, accompanied by notes of crisp green apple and pear. A light floral hint of white blossom lends a certain elegance to the bouquet. Nuances of oyster and iodine characterize this cuvée, highlighting the influence of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

Palate

On the palate, this premier cru proves rich and complex, with a beautiful richness reflecting the optimal ripeness of the grapes. The structure is elegant and balanced, with well-integrated acidity bringing freshness and tension without aggression. The wine shows a marked mineral texture with a generous roundness. The attack on the palate is energetic and precise, immediately revealing the characteristic minerality of the terroir. On the mid-palate, the wine unfolds nuances of fresh citrus, white-fleshed fruits and pure mineral notes. The characteristic iodized salinity of the Kimmeridgian gradually emerges, bringing a sophisticated flavor dimension. The aromatic persistence is remarkable, with a clean finish of lingering fresh lemon.

Food and Wine Pairings

The Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2022 pairs naturally with seafood and shellfish. Warm oysters are an emblematic pairing, where the wine’s iodized salinity finds a remarkable echo in the shellfish’s mineral character. Bluefin tuna tartare is among the recommended gastronomic pairings, where the freshness of the wine pleasantly cuts through the richness of the raw fish. All types of shellfish find remarkable harmony with this premier cru: mussels, clams and scallops. Grilled or poached fish, particularly those with delicate white flesh such as turbot, sole or sea bass, create pairings of great elegance. Beyond seafood, the wine also pairs elegantly with aged cheeses, particularly goat’s cheeses where the wine’s iodized salinity creates a particularly successful harmony. As an aperitif, this premier cru is an excellent choice, its balanced structure and characteristic freshness never tiring the palate.

Serving and Cellaring

The recommended serving temperature is between 8 and 10°C, allowing the full expression of the aromas. The wine is an excellent candidate for immediate tasting, already revealing its characteristic charm and freshness. The optimal drinking window for the Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2022 extends to around 2031, with an aging potential that may reach approximately 2033.

The Precision and Structure of a Chablis Premier Cru by Billaud-Simon

The Estate

The Domaine Billaud-Simon has been part of Chablis’ winemaking history since its foundation in 1815. Located at the heart of the Chablis vineyard, the estate covers around 17 hectares where chardonnay reigns supreme. In 2014, the estate was sold to the renowned Burgundy négociant house Faiveley. Erwan Faiveley and his sister Eve are now the owners of the estate. Olivier Bailly, as estate manager, embodies both technical continuity and a strong commitment to quality. Since its acquisition by the Faiveley family, the estate has maintained its independent operations with its own cellar and dedicated team. The estate is recognized for the mineral and precise expression of its wines.

The Vineyard

The Climat of Montée de Tonnerre, covering a total surface of around 42.5 hectares, is among the most prestigious premier crus of the Chablis region. Located on the right bank of the Serein, this premier cru benefits from a southeast exposure on moderate to steep slopes. The shallow soils rest on Kimmeridgian marly limestone and reveal veins of blue clay that give the wines a distinct minerality and remarkable energy. This particular geology, formed 155 million years ago from marine sediments, algae and fossilized shells, gives the wines of Chablis a unique identity recognized worldwide. Billaud-Simon owns parcels in the three sectors of Montée de Tonnerre, with the oldest plantings in the Climat Pied d'Aloup reaching 87 years of age. This diversity of microclimatic sectors allows the estate to produce an expression that is truly representative of the overall terroir.

The Vintage

The year 2022 was overall a very good year across the Burgundy region. The 2022 vintage stands out for its beautiful purity and freshness typical of great Chablis. The 2022 offers a remarkable balance between fruit maturity and the characteristic freshness of Chablis. The climatic conditions allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while retaining well-integrated natural acidity, ideal conditions for producing a balanced and complex premier cru.

Vinification and Aging

After harvesting and manual sorting, the grapes for the Chablis 1er Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" 2022 undergo static settling for a minimum of 24 hours, allowing better clarification of the musts. Alcoholic fermentation generally lasts between 15 and 18 days. For vinification, the estate mainly favors temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity and energy characteristic of Chablis chardonnay. For the Montée de Tonnerre 2022 cuvée specifically, only 5 to 6% of the production is aged in oak barrels after fermentation. Aging generally lasts around 14 months for the premier crus, allowing a gradual integration of fermentation components and the natural stabilization of the wine.

Grape Variety

100% chardonnay