Billaud-Simon Chablis 1er cru Montée de Tonnerre 2022

94 points Andy Howard, MW (Decanter): "Very pure and crystalline on both nose and palate. Real drive and energy, just the vaguest hint of wood which adds more to texture than flavour. A very fine example. Billaud-Simon has plots within the three sectors of Montée de Tonnerre, with the oldest plots in the Pied d'Aloup climat which reach 87 years old. Olivier Bailly normally only uses tank for this climat but this year has 6% in barrel. Drinking Window: 2025-2031. (10/18/23)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "An attractive mix of peach, apple, lemon, oyster shell and fresh herb flavors are the hallmarks of this expressive and complex Chablis. Intense from beginning to end, with a kaleidoscopic finish. Drink now through 2033. 46 cases imported. (04/10/24)."

94 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "This is a 'true' Montée de Tonnerre with a parcel coming from each sub-climat. It only sees 5% barrel after fermentation. The result is an eye-opening, palate-drenching sensation of savory white wine that is a stunning representation of Chablis. There is a lovely briny note on the nose, and the palate is packed with nuances of dried pasta, fern and lean citrus. (2024)"

91-94 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Mostly in stainless steel, from the usual three plots giving an overall view of the cru. A pale to mid lemon colour. Citrus and limestone on the relatively chiselled nose. Plenty of energy on the palate, with ripe yellow fruit and a little youthful bitterness. This should come together to make a fine Montée de Tonnerre. A little white fruit flesh behind the initial yellow fruit notes. Excellent persistence. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: July 2023."

91-94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a 2.5 ha parcel of 35+ year old vines - two thirds of the blend is from Chapelot, and the remainder is from Pied d'Aloup and Montée de Tonnerre proper; the Pied d'Aloup vines were planted in 1935). More moderate though still easily detectible wood is present on the nose of iodine, mineral reduction, white flowers and a hint of oyster shell. The markedly finer middleweight flavors exude evident minerality that adds a sense of lift to the balanced, nicely dry and impressively long finish that displays the natural class of a fine MdT. Excellent. Drink: 2030+. (Aug 2023)"

90-92 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2022 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru has a pretty, well-defined bouquet with cooking apple, Conference pear and light earthy scents. The palate seems to have some CO2 and feels quite primal, but I think this will sort itself out with bottle age. Moderate length with fine acidity. Tuck this away for a couple of years. Drink: 2025-2034. (Sep 2023)"