Billaud/Samuel Chablis 1er cru Montée de Tonnerre 2023

94 points Christy Canterbury, MW (TimAtkin.com): "This comes from the top of Chapelot, which does seem to give it some cool characteristics, like it did in 2022. The nose is reticent, and there is striking minerality from start to finish. Key lime, menthol, honeydew melon and wet stones are joined by salt marsh on the tense, flavorful finish. Time will elicit even more from this highly-defined and bewitching wine. These vines are moving up from 50 to 60 years old. (2025)"

91-93 points Kristaps Karklins (Wine Advocate): "The 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is sourced from the Chapelot and Montée de Tonnerre lieux-dits, planted in 1976 and 1971, respectively. Aged 80% in tank and 20% in used 500-liter barrels for 18 months, it soars from the glass with a rich bouquet of apricot, beeswax, pear and grapefruit zest. Full-bodied, textural and enveloping, it’s underpinned by tangy acidity and concludes with a long, chalky finish. Time will reveal its full potential. (3/6/25)"

91-93 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2023 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru comes from two plots in Chapelot and one in Montée de Tonnerre itself. It has a refined bouquet with a mixture of white and yellow fruit, fine mineralité and focus. The palate is very well balanced with a sapid entry, just a hint of white peach and almond. Still, it is very tensile and citric on the finish. Excellent. Drink: 2026-2042. (Aug 2024)"

91-93 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from a .45 ha holding in both Montée de Tonnerre proper and Chapelot). An elegant, pure and airy nose possesses more obvious Chablis character with its wet stone, shellfish, brine and iodine-suffused nose. There is more refinement, if less volume and power, to the beautifully textured middle weight flavors that conclude in a sneaky long, balanced and altogether classy finale. Drink: 2029+. (Oct 2024)"