Billaud/Samuel Chablis 1er cru Séchets Vieilles Vignes 2023

95 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "A powerhouse of complexity, I wrote more descriptors on this Premier Cru than all the others. And there's not a bit of barrel influence here. It starts with hay, peak-season Vacherin Mont d'Or, fresh thyme and quinine. An arc of bracing acidity hovers over the palate, giving it tension and focus. This is built for the long-haul, if you give it the chance. Samuel's grandfather created the grafts for these 80-year-old vines, and his grandmother planted the vineyard. (2025)"

93-94 points Kristaps Karklins (Wine Advocate): "Another brilliant wine from Samuel Billaud, and one of the most classically Chablisien in character, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Séchet Vieilles Vignes derives from 90-year-old vines, the oldest of the domaine, and is aged entirely in steel for 18 months. Opening in the glass to reveal a bouquet of lemon zest, oyster shell, white flowers and crushed chalk, it’s compact and chiseled, with extraordinary purity, a bright, incisive line of acidity and a strikingly sapid, mouthwatering finish. Chablis purists will want to seek this out urgently, as it ranks among Billaud’s finest premiers crus this year. (3/6/25)"

92-94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2023 Chablis Les Séchets 1er Cru comes from 90-year-old vines, vinified in stainless steel on the lees for 18 months. Crushed stone, sea cave and just a touch of menthol on the intense nose, this is beautifully defined. The palate is well balanced with just a touch of dried apricot and fig, animated and tensile. The penetrating finish lingers in the mouth. Superb. Drink: 2026-2042. (Aug 2024)"

91-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a .60 ha holding of 90+ year old vines raised in 100% stainless). Restrained aromas of citrus confit, iodine, spice and apple give way to strikingly textured and slightly denser medium-bodied flavors that flash evident power that builds on the bitter lemon-inflected finish that is markedly dry, sleek and balanced. The Billaud Séchet is virtually always excellent and the 2023 vintage should be no exception. Drink: 2030+. (Oct 2024)"