Domaine Billaud-Simon
About Domaine Billaud-Simon
Domaine Billaud-Simon was founded back in 1815 and had remained in family hands until 2014, when it was acquired by Domaine Faiveley – a challenging task considering the varying interests of members of the Billaud family. Despite being the new owners, Domaine Faiveley respected the long-standing practices established at Billaud-Simon even though their practices seemed rather unusual.
“We discovered a winemaking style that we had no idea could work, but it worked very well. In 2014 we let the team do what they usually did, but since we were the owners we looked at what they did, and we were very surprised how late they picked. They were the latest in Chablis by far. At Faiveley we tend to pick a little early. We thought it was bizarre, yet it worked very well, so we have kept that philosophy.” – Erwan Faiveley
Viniculture
These same practices that have served Domaine Billaud-Simon so well are ultimately responsible for different glorious expressions from Chablis. Today, Billaud-Simon is one of the very top echelon of producers in the region. Year in year out, they are stylistically different yet comparable with the likes of Dauvissat and Raveneau. Mainly favouring stainless steel over oak in their fermentation and elevage, although a certain amount of larger oak is used in Preuses as well as a single barrel to 'tame' the saline terroir of Blanchots Grand Cru. The overall effect is a compelling range of elegant, pure and stunningly pristine wines for your cellar.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£557.09 |
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|
Burgundy | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£402.58 |
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|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£195.89 |
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|
Burgundy | 10 | 88 (BH) |
Inc. VAT
£198.29 |
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Burghound (88)(from Sur le Clos). A fruit, bright and citrusy nose offers good typicity in the form of sea breeze, algae and iodine. There is good density and reasonably good energy to the round and delicious flavors that terminate in an agreeably dry lemon-tinged finish where the only nit is a touch of warmth. This should drink well young but a year or two of keeping should help to add depth. |
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|
Burgundy | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£296.69 |
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|
Burgundy | 3 | 85-87 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£290.69 |
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Vinous (85-87)The 2021 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru has an attractive nose with white peach and light white flower aromas, nicely focused and delineated. The palate is vibrant and edgy, just a bit of CO2 in my sample, although it needs more ballast on the finish. |
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|
Burgundy | 18 | 92 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£306.29 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92)Pale lemon colour. Just a little bit smoky yet pleasingly marine as well. Very crunchy saline finish, 2022 is more classic for Vaillons than 2023. White fruit with the lightest of saline lemon rinses. Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 3 | 91 (BH) |
Inc. VAT
£306.29 |
|||||
Burghound (91)(from 4 different parcels of 35+ year old vines). Here the wood is subtle though easily perceptible on the mildly exotic aromas of white and yellow peach, orange peel and moderate Chablis elements. On the palate the larger-bodied and more concentrated flavors are also generously proportioned while concluding in a balanced, dry and powerful finish. This could use more depth so a few years of keeping should again prove beneficial. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£322.84 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)5 Star Wine. An even lemon yellow. The concentrated warmth of Montée de Tonnerre is showing here in a very attractive way, a little more compelling than Mont de Milieu. Less flamboyant up front then the 2023 but if anything offering greater intensity behind with really well harnessed marine minerals. Beautiful persistence. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 3 | 90-92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£327.89 |
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Vinous (90-92)The 2021 Chablis Vaulorent 1er Cru replaces the Vaillons this year and Billaud's supplier could not deliver - only two barrels-worth. It has a taut and crisp bouquet with green apple and light wild peach aromas. The palate is firm with nice acidity; it's linear and correct with hints of white peach and pear towards the pretty finish. Very fine. |
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|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£350.69 |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£95.21 |
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|
Burgundy | 20 | 85-87 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£182.69 |
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Vinous (85-87)The 2021 Chablis Village is a clear step up from the Petit Chablis this year with more presence and intensity on the nose. The palate is balanced with red apple and orange pith on the entry and fine acidity, but this has a slightly conservative finish that needs more terroir expression. |
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|
Burgundy | 20 | 90 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£180.04 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90)Pale lemon yellow, with a delicious. This is proper classical Chablis and is already good to drink, though will keep nicely. An oyster shell salinity features notably and the wine is properly persistent for a straight Chablis. Drink from 2024-2028. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£147.85 |
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|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£555.89 |
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|
Burgundy | 2 | 90-93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£410.20 |
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Vinous (90-93)(tasted from a smaller stainless steel tank; this had previously been aging in barriques Very ripe aromas of peach and vanilla. Sweet, fat and fine-grained, with a distinctly silky texture to the apricot and almond flavors. Rather muscular and quite classically dry, and yet there's a suggestion of exotic ripeness throughout. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,686.47 |
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Vinous (94)The 2012 Chablis Les Clos is totally intriguing. Initially a bit reticent, the Clos only blossoms on the mid-palate and finish, where the wine's texture and breadth are most apparent. Silky, perfumed and polished throughout, the 2012 impresses for its fabulous balance and faithful expression of this great site. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 91+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£159.85 |
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Vinous (91+)Bright pale yellow. Very pure but reticent nose dominated by wet stone and minerals. Extremely tight and uncompromising, in a taut, lemony style. Finishes very long and vibrant, with a soupcon of fresh pineapple. Bailly found this wine extremely rigid in the early going and put part of it in a cask and two barrels during the middle of its elevage; it was bottled just before Christmas. This wine clearly needs extended aging and will merit a higher score if it expands in bottle. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,576.58 |
|||||
Vinous (93)(made in two barrels and the rest stainless steel): Bright light-medium yellow. Peach and spice aromas are complicated by saline sea spray and iodine. Thick but not at all heavy; a step up from the other 2015s here in urgent fruit and savory minerality. This seamless wine boasts real energy and bulletproof material. The spicy, saline, rising finish saturates the palate. The yield here was just 21 hectoliters per hectare, according to Bailly. This wine was quite dry and strict last year but has turned out well, even if it will require patience. |
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|
Burgundy | 5 | 92-94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£584.44 |
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Vinous (92-94)The 2021 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru has a well-defined bouquet and perhaps is the most complete of the Grand Crus from the Domaine. The palate is well balanced with a touch more substance than Les Clos, fine acidity, quite taut and harmonious with good grip and energy on the finish. I can see this ageing nicely in bottle. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 95 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£619.49 |
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Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)5 Star Wine. Mid lemon yellow. Immediately the nose has an extra lift over and above the Clos, the Preuses is powerful and spicy but also with a purity and elegant energy as well. There is a stunning intensity of fruit here with such a lift of energy. Fabulous dry extract and real length. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 95 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£504.29 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)5 Star Wine. Mid lemon yellow. Immediately the nose has an extra lift over and above the Clos, the Preuses is powerful and spicy but also with a purity and elegant energy as well. There is a stunning intensity of fruit here with such a lift of energy. Fabulous dry extract and real length. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,291.78 |
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Wine Advocate (94)The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir has a clean and fresh bouquet with hints of blackberry leaf complementing the citrus fruit and cold granitic aromas. The palate is well balanced with precise citrus fruit, a keen line of acidity and plenty of mineral tension. There is a sense of animation and energy to this Vaudésir, and I can see it ageing beautifully over a decade or more. This is an outstanding Vaudésir from winemaker Olivier Bailly. |
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|
Burgundy | 2 | 94 (IB) |
Inc. VAT
£516.29 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)Lemony colour. A touch of the wet wool reduction, more usual on a wine with greater age, but not in itself suggesting evolution. This wet wool aromatic is really just a sulphur compound, I believe. Then very spicy behind with a raft of white fruit energy and good acidity. Hangs on in well, plenty of latent concentration, just closed at the moment. Drink from 2028-2038. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 8 | 88 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£230.44 |
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Vinous (88)The 2020 Chablis Tête d'Or derives only domaine fruit, and unlike the regular Chablis, it is aged a little longer with 25-30% barrels, mixed used and new with some 500-litre casks. It offers orchard fruit, touches of pressed white flowers on the nose and fine presence, but it's just missing a little personality. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, green apples with a touch of pear and a nice steely finish, albeit just missing a little length. |
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|
Burgundy | 10 | 89 (BH) |
Inc. VAT
£222.29 |
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Burghound (89)(from 2 parcels situated in the village of Bas de Chapelot raised in 25 to 30% five+ year old wood). A discreet dollop of wood sets off a similar set of aromas that offer a hint of wet stone. The mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors is also sleek and vibrant with a slightly finer texture that carries over to the balanced, youthfully austere and slightly more compact finale. This is very good for its level and worth considering. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
In Bond
£445.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 2 | - |
In Bond
£297.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
In Bond
£144.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 10 | 88 (BH) |
In Bond
£146.00 |
|||||
Burghound (88)(from Sur le Clos). A fruit, bright and citrusy nose offers good typicity in the form of sea breeze, algae and iodine. There is good density and reasonably good energy to the round and delicious flavors that terminate in an agreeably dry lemon-tinged finish where the only nit is a touch of warmth. This should drink well young but a year or two of keeping should help to add depth. |
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|
Burgundy | 2 | - |
In Bond
£228.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 3 | 85-87 (VN) |
In Bond
£223.00 |
|||||
Vinous (85-87)The 2021 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru has an attractive nose with white peach and light white flower aromas, nicely focused and delineated. The palate is vibrant and edgy, just a bit of CO2 in my sample, although it needs more ballast on the finish. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 18 | 92 (IB) |
In Bond
£236.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92)Pale lemon colour. Just a little bit smoky yet pleasingly marine as well. Very crunchy saline finish, 2022 is more classic for Vaillons than 2023. White fruit with the lightest of saline lemon rinses. Drink from 2026-2032. Tasted Jul 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 3 | 91 (BH) |
In Bond
£236.00 |
|||||
Burghound (91)(from 4 different parcels of 35+ year old vines). Here the wood is subtle though easily perceptible on the mildly exotic aromas of white and yellow peach, orange peel and moderate Chablis elements. On the palate the larger-bodied and more concentrated flavors are also generously proportioned while concluding in a balanced, dry and powerful finish. This could use more depth so a few years of keeping should again prove beneficial. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (IB) |
In Bond
£253.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)5 Star Wine. An even lemon yellow. The concentrated warmth of Montée de Tonnerre is showing here in a very attractive way, a little more compelling than Mont de Milieu. Less flamboyant up front then the 2023 but if anything offering greater intensity behind with really well harnessed marine minerals. Beautiful persistence. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted Jul 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 3 | 90-92 (VN) |
In Bond
£254.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90-92)The 2021 Chablis Vaulorent 1er Cru replaces the Vaillons this year and Billaud's supplier could not deliver - only two barrels-worth. It has a taut and crisp bouquet with green apple and light wild peach aromas. The palate is firm with nice acidity; it's linear and correct with hints of white peach and pear towards the pretty finish. Very fine. |
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|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
In Bond
£273.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
£74.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 20 | 85-87 (VN) |
In Bond
£133.00 |
|||||
Vinous (85-87)The 2021 Chablis Village is a clear step up from the Petit Chablis this year with more presence and intensity on the nose. The palate is balanced with red apple and orange pith on the entry and fine acidity, but this has a slightly conservative finish that needs more terroir expression. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 20 | 90 (IB) |
In Bond
£134.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90)Pale lemon yellow, with a delicious. This is proper classical Chablis and is already good to drink, though will keep nicely. An oyster shell salinity features notably and the wine is properly persistent for a straight Chablis. Drink from 2024-2028. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
£120.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 4 | - |
In Bond
£444.00 |
|||||
|
Burgundy | 2 | 90-93 (VN) |
In Bond
£329.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90-93)(tasted from a smaller stainless steel tank; this had previously been aging in barriques Very ripe aromas of peach and vanilla. Sweet, fat and fine-grained, with a distinctly silky texture to the apricot and almond flavors. Rather muscular and quite classically dry, and yet there's a suggestion of exotic ripeness throughout. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£3,040.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2012 Chablis Les Clos is totally intriguing. Initially a bit reticent, the Clos only blossoms on the mid-palate and finish, where the wine's texture and breadth are most apparent. Silky, perfumed and polished throughout, the 2012 impresses for its fabulous balance and faithful expression of this great site. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 91+ (VN) |
In Bond
£130.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91+)Bright pale yellow. Very pure but reticent nose dominated by wet stone and minerals. Extremely tight and uncompromising, in a taut, lemony style. Finishes very long and vibrant, with a soupcon of fresh pineapple. Bailly found this wine extremely rigid in the early going and put part of it in a cask and two barrels during the middle of its elevage; it was bottled just before Christmas. This wine clearly needs extended aging and will merit a higher score if it expands in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,942.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)(made in two barrels and the rest stainless steel): Bright light-medium yellow. Peach and spice aromas are complicated by saline sea spray and iodine. Thick but not at all heavy; a step up from the other 2015s here in urgent fruit and savory minerality. This seamless wine boasts real energy and bulletproof material. The spicy, saline, rising finish saturates the palate. The yield here was just 21 hectoliters per hectare, according to Bailly. This wine was quite dry and strict last year but has turned out well, even if it will require patience. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 5 | 92-94 (VN) |
In Bond
£471.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92-94)The 2021 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru has a well-defined bouquet and perhaps is the most complete of the Grand Crus from the Domaine. The palate is well balanced with a touch more substance than Les Clos, fine acidity, quite taut and harmonious with good grip and energy on the finish. I can see this ageing nicely in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 95 (IB) |
In Bond
£497.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)5 Star Wine. Mid lemon yellow. Immediately the nose has an extra lift over and above the Clos, the Preuses is powerful and spicy but also with a purity and elegant energy as well. There is a stunning intensity of fruit here with such a lift of energy. Fabulous dry extract and real length. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted Jul 2024. |
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|
Burgundy | 1 | 95 (IB) |
In Bond
£401.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (95)5 Star Wine. Mid lemon yellow. Immediately the nose has an extra lift over and above the Clos, the Preuses is powerful and spicy but also with a purity and elegant energy as well. There is a stunning intensity of fruit here with such a lift of energy. Fabulous dry extract and real length. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted Jul 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,038.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir has a clean and fresh bouquet with hints of blackberry leaf complementing the citrus fruit and cold granitic aromas. The palate is well balanced with precise citrus fruit, a keen line of acidity and plenty of mineral tension. There is a sense of animation and energy to this Vaudésir, and I can see it ageing beautifully over a decade or more. This is an outstanding Vaudésir from winemaker Olivier Bailly. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 2 | 94 (IB) |
In Bond
£411.00 |
|||||
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)Lemony colour. A touch of the wet wool reduction, more usual on a wine with greater age, but not in itself suggesting evolution. This wet wool aromatic is really just a sulphur compound, I believe. Then very spicy behind with a raft of white fruit energy and good acidity. Hangs on in well, plenty of latent concentration, just closed at the moment. Drink from 2028-2038. Tasted Jul 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 8 | 88 (VN) |
In Bond
£176.00 |
|||||
Vinous (88)The 2020 Chablis Tête d'Or derives only domaine fruit, and unlike the regular Chablis, it is aged a little longer with 25-30% barrels, mixed used and new with some 500-litre casks. It offers orchard fruit, touches of pressed white flowers on the nose and fine presence, but it's just missing a little personality. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, green apples with a touch of pear and a nice steely finish, albeit just missing a little length. |
|||||||||
|
Burgundy | 10 | 89 (BH) |
In Bond
£166.00 |
|||||
Burghound (89)(from 2 parcels situated in the village of Bas de Chapelot raised in 25 to 30% five+ year old wood). A discreet dollop of wood sets off a similar set of aromas that offer a hint of wet stone. The mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors is also sleek and vibrant with a slightly finer texture that carries over to the balanced, youthfully austere and slightly more compact finale. This is very good for its level and worth considering. |