92-94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "[$61 list] The 2018 Chablis Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru is shaping up to be a real beauty. Powerful and resonant in the glass, the 2018 is racy, ample and so expressive. Orchard fruit, almond and dried flowers are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. Readers will find a powerful, virile Chablis endowed with richness and structure to burn. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. Drink: 2020-2030. (Jan 2020)"
92-94 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Located in the middle of Vaillons. A saline touch to the nose, verbena too, with some firm acidity behind and a touch of youthful bitterness. Holds well at the back. The old vines help produce a wine of impressive intensity. (May 2019)"
93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The old vines in Samuel Billaud’s parcel of Vaillons are seventy-one years of age. His 2018 version is really lovely, delivering a complex bouquet of lemon, apple, beeswax, oyster shell, chalky minerality, white flowers and just a whisper of vanillin oak (from the older casks used to raise part of the cuvée). On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a rock solid core of fruit, lovely mineral undertow, zesty acids and lovely balance and grip on the long and zesty finish. This is absolutely first class Vaillons. 2020-2045. (Jul/Aug 2020)"
93 points Tim Atkin, MW.
91 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Pretty aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers, oyster shell and orange introduce the 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, a satiny, medium to full-bodied wine that's bright and incisive, with racy acids and a chalky finish. Drink: 2021-2035. (Jul 2020)"
91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from Vaillons proper). A cool and restrained nose grudgingly offers up notes of lemon-lime, quinine and white fleshed fruit. There is excellent vibrancy to the sleek and well-detailed flavors that conclude in a markedly dry, clean and focused finish that is presently quite tightly wound. I suspect that it will gradually flesh out though and 3 to 4 years should see it drinking well. This too is lovely. 2023+. (Oct 2020)"
92-94 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Located in the middle of Vaillons. A saline touch to the nose, verbena too, with some firm acidity behind and a touch of youthful bitterness. Holds well at the back. The old vines help produce a wine of impressive intensity. (May 2019)"
93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The old vines in Samuel Billaud’s parcel of Vaillons are seventy-one years of age. His 2018 version is really lovely, delivering a complex bouquet of lemon, apple, beeswax, oyster shell, chalky minerality, white flowers and just a whisper of vanillin oak (from the older casks used to raise part of the cuvée). On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a rock solid core of fruit, lovely mineral undertow, zesty acids and lovely balance and grip on the long and zesty finish. This is absolutely first class Vaillons. 2020-2045. (Jul/Aug 2020)"
93 points Tim Atkin, MW.
91 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Pretty aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers, oyster shell and orange introduce the 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, a satiny, medium to full-bodied wine that's bright and incisive, with racy acids and a chalky finish. Drink: 2021-2035. (Jul 2020)"
91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from Vaillons proper). A cool and restrained nose grudgingly offers up notes of lemon-lime, quinine and white fleshed fruit. There is excellent vibrancy to the sleek and well-detailed flavors that conclude in a markedly dry, clean and focused finish that is presently quite tightly wound. I suspect that it will gradually flesh out though and 3 to 4 years should see it drinking well. This too is lovely. 2023+. (Oct 2020)"
| Product SKU | 337226 |
| Producer | Billaud/Samuel |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| SubRegion | Chablis |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Designation | Premier Cru|Vieilles Vignes |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 13.0% |
| Ships To |
