2023 Samuel Billaud Sechet Vieilles Vignes Chablis Premier Cru

While the origins of this domaine date back to Charles-Louis-Noel Billaud in 1815, it's the current generation winemaker Samuel Billaud that has made waves with the exceptional quality of his wines produced since the creation of this project in 2009. Following the sale of the family business Domaine Billaud-Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel received further prized parcels of land and now makes wines from five of the grand cru vineyards, and five of the top premier cru vineyards. The wines are vinified in a mixture of stainless steel and large old wood barrels, the latter mainly for the premier and grand cru wines.

Other Reviews....
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 through 2031+.
93 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound

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.
93-94 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Chablis Les Séchets 1er Cru has a detailed and mineral-driven bouquet that evokes images of the dark and stormy sea. This has wonderful salinity—it really benefits from no wood contact. The palate is old-school Chablis, with green apple and pear scents. It's a little strict, yet there is real depth and grip here. The 2023 is very complex and long on the finish, but it’s 100% Chablis in style. Outstanding. Drink 2026-2042.
94 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Planted by Samuel’s grandmother in the 1930s, yielding 40/45 hl/ha in 2023, the Séchets will be kept on lees in stainless steel for a full 18 months. Marvellous intensity right across the palate, once again a truly brilliant wine from Samuel. Beautifully dry finish to a wine that is so full of fruit. Drink from 2028-2035.
92-95 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy