Dom. Billaud Simon Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2022

For Domaine Billaud-Simon (Option 1), the 2022 Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaillons' is a standout example of how this estate managed the "Solar" 2022 vintage. While the year was warm, Billaud-Simon’s signature precision has kept the wine remarkably fresh and "marine."

In 2026, this wine is entering its ideal drinking window. It has moved past its tight, post-bottling phase and is now showing the full breadth of its "Left Bank" elegance.

The Vibe

This cuvée is a blend from six different plots across the Vaillons hillside (including Séchets, Roncières, Chatains, and Minot). In 2022, winemaker Olivier Bailly used a touch of wood aging for the Séchets component to add texture, though the wine remains a "shimmering," stainless-steel-dominant expression. It is more "classic" and saline than the 2023 version, offering a deeper sense of Chablis' ancient seafloor origins.

The Nose

The aromatics are expressive, bright, and distinctly "oceanic":

• The Fruit: A generous mix of lemon cake, white peach, and piquant green apple.

• The Floral: High-toned notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, and orange blossom.

• The Marine: A very clear "oyster liquor" scent combined with wet stones and a hint of white pepper.

The Taste

On the palate, the 2022 Vaillons is round and seductive but finishes with an "electric shock."

• The Attack: Friendly and fleshy, reflecting the warmth of the 2022 summer.

• The Mid-Palate: It shows a lovely "glycerin richness" and weight, feeling much more substantial than the village-level wines.

• The Finish: This is where the 2022 shines—it has a crunchy, saline grip and a mouth-watering chalky finish that lingers for a remarkably long time.

📋 Product Specs (2026 Status)

Best Paired With:

• The Seafood Match: Grilled prawns or scallops with a lemon-zest reduction.

• The Poultry Pair: Chicken "Petit Salé" or a simple roast chicken with spring herbs.

• The Salty Contrast: Ibérico Ham or salty Marcona almonds; the wine's acidity and saline finish cut through the richness of the fat.

• The Cheese: A young Comté or a creamy Brie de Meaux.

Pro Tip: In 2026, the 2022 Vaillons is a "crowd-pleaser" Premier Cru because it balances Chablis acidity with 2022 ripeness. Serve at 10–12°C. Because it was a warmer year, it doesn't need as much air as the Montée de Tonnerre, but 15 minutes of "breathing" in the glass will help the honeysuckle and peach notes pop.