2014 Chablis Les Fourneaux
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
From magnum. Light honey and zippy lemon as well a hint of just-ripe apricot. The slightest suggestion of cedary bottle maturity. Superb depth on the palate married to the finest, mouth-watering acidity. So long and still such a baby. Sadly Montrachet Fine Wine Merchants have sold out of this wine. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Chablis 1Er Cru Fourneaux comes from a single parcel of 40-year-old vines that are cultivated organically. It has a clean and precise bouquet with chalk dust and a subtle white mushroom-like aroma. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp acidity, a dash of spice on the entry with a fine saline component that is expressed towards the slightly truncated finish. This wine has good potential and I would give it 12-18 months in bottle.
(from purchased grapes from 40-year-old vines, farmed organically for the last several years): Pale yellow-green. Aromas of crystallized lemon peel and white pepper are lifted by a minty nuance. Tightly wound and brisk, showing almost painful cut to the flavors of lemon and dusty, chalky minerals. As strict as this is, it's not hard. Finishes subtle and very long.
Tank sample to be bottled July. Tense, youthful nose. Still very youthful with some chalkiness on the finish. Pure with almost painful acidity at this stage. Finishes a little suddenly. (JR)
About the producer
Samuel Billaud started making wine under his own name in 2009, but he is one of the most experienced producers in Chablis, having made wine in the region since 1985.