Vines aged 28 years are the origin of Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or, a white wine crafted by Bernard Billaud and his nephew, Samuel Billaud, in the A.O.C. Chablis (in northern France) within Burgundy.
This wine is the result of a meticulous selection process carried out by this legendary duo from the finest vineyards in the region. Specifically, this time they focus on three south-southeast facing plots located at the foot of the premier cru Montée de Tonnerre. In this area, viticulture is entirely organic, without any chemical treatments, achieving the fullest expression of the kimmeridgian, the calcareous soil composed of marine sediments, algae, and shells that form the true heart of the A.O.C. Chablis. Here, under a semi-continental climate, chardonnay grapes manage to mature perfectly, achieving an ideal balance. With consistently low yields, the harvest dates are usually delayed, and with this patience and expertise, wines of great quality are produced, faithfully reflecting the region.
After a careful harvest, the grapes of Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or arrive at the winery, where they are manually selected and sorted. Following a very gentle pressing —where not too many compounds or solid parts of the berry are extracted— Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or is transferred to thermoregulated stainless steel tanks for fermentation. These facilities, which in the 1980s replaced the old wooden vats, allow for greater control over both the raw material and the vinification process. Finally, once fermentation is complete, Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or will begin its ageing process. The duration and type of vessel for this process will depend on each wine. In the case of Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or, ageing will take place for a brief period in oak barrels.
Billaud-Simon Chablis Cuvée Tête d'Or is an unpretentious wine. The best of the worst from the house of Billaud-Simon.