2007 Chablis Blanchots

It’s frosted bottle and cut-corner label once again signal that the Billaud 2007 Chablis Blanchots Vieilles Vignes is different from its immediate stable mates, specifically for having been raised in barrel. Marine and slightly lactic notes in the nose lead to a complex but somewhat jumbled palate impression, spices and toasted nuts, crushed stone and citrus zest along with a bit of overt woodiness carrying into a finish that lingers but has been robbed of a bit of sap, I suspect “thanks” to the barrel treatment. I would be happy to revisit this in a couple of years and be proven wrong, but I suspect it will be best drunk over the next 3-4 years, and perhaps better yet passed over in deference to one of the estate’s numerous more distinguished 2007 successes. 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