Billaud-Simon Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

Winemaker notes

White gold hue with pale green glimmers. Elegant, fruity nose. The attack is direct and clean with mineral and citrus notes. The palate is well-balanced with the same aromatic profile as the nose. Long, lingering finish.

2021

Burghound 90-92: A more floral nose is comprised by pear liqueur and spice if less obvious Chablis character. By contrast, there is excellent punch to the nicely voluminous flavours that are shaped by lemon-tined acidity on the youthfully austere, refreshingly dry and slightly more structured finale.

Decanter 93: Olivier Bailly produces this Fourchaume from a blend of three inox barrels. The harvest started on 18 September but was then halted for four days as rain moved in to the region, before restarting on 22 September. Some extra volume here, with a winning combination of richness and freshness. Very appealing.

2022

Burghound 90-92: This is noticeably riper with its smoky aromas of pear liqueur, iodine and suggestion of the phenolic (olive oil nuances). There is both excellent volume and mid-palate density to the generously proportioned medium weight flavors that display solid power on the clean and dry finale.

Decanter 92: Although a 'solar' area, the soils here are shallower than much of Fourchaume. More concentration and weight evident, with notable smoky notes. Will develop very well but needs time. Lots of acidity. Big structure, small production.