2020 Samuel Billaud Chablis Premier Cru Sechet Vieilles Vignes [D94][WA94][V92-94][BH91-94]

Producer: Samuel Billaud  
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France  
Varietal: Chardonnay 
Year: 2020 

Decanter, 94 Points 

"One of the special Samuel Billaud cuvées, the old vines really adding lots of extra density and concentration. Green apple on the palate, with a touch of red berry fruit as well. Powerful and complex, with great purity and a fine, mineral aftertaste. Will age very well. Drinking Window 2023 - 2028." 

Wine Advocate, 94 Points 

"Always one of the highlights in Billaud's range, the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Séchet Vieilles Vignes has once again turned out brilliantly. Exhibiting aromas of crisp orchard fruit, white currants, citrus zest, pastry cream and freshly baked bread, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and chiseled, with an ample core of fruit, racy acids and a long, saline finish. It's worth a special effort to seek out. Having parted ways with Domaine Billaud Simon, Samuel Billaud established his own state-of-the-art winery in central Chablis in 2009, and he has rapidly emerged as one of the town's best half-dozen producers, crafting wines characterized by textural seamlessness and unerring precision. Working with four hectares of organically farmed estate vineyards, supplemented by purchased grapes, manual harvesting of ripe but bright fruit is the rule here, followed by fermentation at 16 to 20 degrees Celsius in tank or inconspicuous wood, then maturation for 15 to 18 months on the lees for the premiers crus and grand cru bottlings. The 2020 vintage is another fine success, though readers will have a hard time choosing between the last half-dozen or so vintages at this address, so completely has Billaud realized each year's potential." 

Vinous, 92-94 Points 

"The 2020 Chablis Les Séchets 1er Cru comes from vines that were planted by Billaud’s grandmother and are now 80 years old. It is matured entirely in tank and presents a crisp, slightly chalky bouquet, more reserved than other cuvées. The palate is poised and vibrant, with a crisp line of acidity. The fresh, tensile, white-peach- and pear-driven finish leaves bitter lemon on the aftertaste. Beautiful." 

Burghound, 91-94 Points 

"A classic Chablis nose, in fact it would be difficult to mistake it for anything else, precedes racy, delineated and overtly mineral-driven flavors that flash outstanding length on the stony, bone-dry and focused finale. While very tight today, I suspect that this impressive effort will open up moderately quickly. *Burghound Sweet Spot Outstanding!" 

Alcohol: 12.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.