Samuel Billaud chablis 1er cru "vaillons V.V" 2023

The man who made Billaud-Simon's greatest Chablis, now under his own name — old-vine Vaillons from the heart of the cru.

Samuel Billaud spent years as the winemaking hand behind one of Chablis' most storied domaines before striking out on his own in 2009. This is his Vaillons Vieilles Vignes: fruit from vines well over 60 years old — some pushing 70 — planted in the historic core of the premier cru, raised entirely in stainless steel so nothing stands between you and the limestone.

No new oak, no makeup — just one of Chablis' master growers working his oldest vines. Tim Atkin scored it 94 points → comparable bottlings from marquee Chablis names run well past this → at $86.99 you're buying the winemaker's pedigree, not the label's marketing.

• 100% Chardonnay from 60–70-year-old vines
• Vaillons 1er Cru, from the warm, sunshine-driven heart of the lieu-dit
• Matured entirely in stainless steel on the lees — pure, unoaked Chablis
• Samuel Billaud, formerly the winemaker at Billaud-Simon

"Orange peel, apricot and beeswax… crisp and driven by tangy acidity." — Wine Advocate. Translation: generous Vaillons orchard fruit up front, then a saline, sea-salt snap that keeps it tight and mineral.

Old-vine premier cru from a named master, in a warm vintage that filled it with fruit while the site kept the tension. This is the Chablis to pour for anyone who thinks they don't like Chardonnay.