Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2011

From an estate that boasts four out of seven of Chablis' Grand Cru vineyards, this Chablis is rather special. With 65 year old vines, kimmeridgian soils and a winemaker with 25 years of experience, you couldn't really find a wine with more prestige. This wine is a true reflection of the famous Chablis terroir; it has an explosion of minerality, fresh citrus fruit and lush peach and nectarine flavours. It shows finesse with integrated acidity and delicate floral notes on the finish; a truly distinctive wine which is way out in front of its neighbours.

Domaine Billaud-Simon was founded on 1815 by Charles Louis Noel Billaud. The winery was taken over by Jean Billaud and when he married Renée Simon in the 1930s, the vineyard changed its named. The Estate has vineyards in 4 of the 7 Grand Crus in Chablis, as well as, a great deal of Premier Crus. The estate boasts 20 hectares and has recently been bought by the prestigious negociant Faiveley.

The ethos of the vineyards is to create wines that reflect the terroir by respecting the vines and the land. Jean-Pierre Lede has been making wine for the leading names in Chablis for the past 25 years, therefore, he has a great understanding of the land.

Les Preuses vineyard, has a prime position in Chablis. The soils are made up of limestone and kimmeridgian clay and the vines are upto 65 years old. This Grand Cru vineyard uses traditional methods to make their wines. The grapes are hand harvested, the wine undergoes fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve freshness of fruit and minerality.

This elegant Chablis, from a Grand Cru vineyard, exhibits fresh citrus fruit which develops into white stone fruits; peaches and apricots. The stoney minerality gives the wine a viscous texture and the finish is long with integrated acidity. This superbly balanced Chablis is perfect to accompany meaty white fish and would even work nicely with pork dishes.