2008 Chablis Vaillons
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Tasting notes
Purple plum, apricot, and brown spices on the nose of Billaud-Simon’s 2008 Chablis Vaillons – which originates largely in Sechet and Roncieres – migrates to a luscious and refreshing palate, tinged by salt and chalk. This combines richness and brightness, succulence and minerality to a deft degree, finishing with suggestions of mirabelle and apricot distillate and pits, black tea smokiness, persistent primary juiciness, and stimulating salinity. Expect it to offer excellent company at table over at least the next 5-7 years. Bernard Billaud agreed this year to show me his young grand crus in advance of their anticipated May or June bottling, even though they were on their finings. In addition, I was able to have my first taste of his 2007 grand crus. Imported by Langdon Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
More exotic fruits and less minerality on the nose than the T e te d'Or is showing today. Smooth nectarine and peach flavors convey an impression of sucrosite Seems a bit low in acidity for the year but finishes firm, with a slight dry edge.
Very restrained but fine and minerally, very tight and lightly lemon tasting but pretty linear right now. Good persistence that bodes well for the future though there isn’t much expression on the mid palate at the moment. Cool, fresh finish. (JH)