2014  

Brothers Xavier and Jérôme Garnier share a passion for wine and the Chablis region, where their family has owned a 57-acre estate for many decades. While their father sold the grapes, the brothers began making their own wine in 1996, selling it to restaurants in and around Paris. Garnier & Fils uses traditional, environmentally friendly, organic practices; they harvest later than most, ferment with natural yeast and age the wines in very large barrels. Improving every year, this exciting estate is already achieving greatness with itsChablis, which offers a delicate salinity that reflects the vineyard's unique soil profile.

2018  Mont de Milieu

Mont de Milieu -- "Touches of the exotic are present in the form of lychee nut, dried apricot and white peach along with hints of petrol and quinine. The succulent and borderline oily medium weight plus flavors possess an abundance of dry extract that imparts a sappy texture to the bitter lemon finish where an interesting hint of marmalade appears. This isn't classic but it is actually quite good." - 90-93pts/Sweet Spot Outstanding -- 2018 Chablis 1er Mont de Milieu from Domaine Pinson which is one of the highest rated 1er Cru Chablis in the most recent Burghound report! It received the same exact score as Dauvissat 1er Vaillons 2018 and Raveneau 1er Butteaux 2018 (Raveneau 1er Montee de Tonnerre 2018 received almost the same exact score of 91-93). This wine scored higher than the following wines: Dauvissat 1er Sechets 2018 (90-92), Raveneau 1er Montmains 2018 (90-92).

2018  1er Cru

"The 2018 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru is one of the stand outs in this range. Ample and creamy, the 2018 is so wonderfully inviting, even in the early going. All the elements just come together effortlessly. Orchard fruit, citrus confit, spice, wild flowers and a touch of new oak all grace this super-expressive Chablis. The 2018 was done 80% in tank and 20% in a 450-liter oak barrel." - 92-94pts Vinous

2018  1er Cru

"In 2018, the Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru comes across as quite airy and lifted. The tell-tale citrus peel, flora, mint and crushed rock notes are there, but the 2018 is decidedly weightless in feel. I also see a bit less energy than is the norm, but then again, this is 2018 we are talking about. The Montée de Tonnerre is a blend of fruit from two parcels measuring just 0.60 hectares in total." - 91-93pts Vinous

2018  

"The 2018 Chablis Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru is shaping up to be a real beauty. Powerful and resonant in the glass, the 2018 is racy, ample and so expressive. Orchard fruit, almond and dried flowers are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. Readers will find a powerful, virile Chablis endowed with richness and structure to burn. I can't wait to taste it from bottle." - 92-94pts Vinous

2017  

"Not many people have vines in Séchet, but they all make excellent wines - and none more so than Samuel Billaud. Iodine and oyster shell aromas segue into a pithy, shuttered, yet beautifully balanced palate. Drinking Window 2021 - 2031." - 96pts Decanter

2017  Montee de Tonnerre

Montee de Tonnerre -- "This is relatively classic aromatically speaking with its cool citrus, floral, spice and quinine-suffused aromas. Once again there is a sleek mouth feel to the finer if not quite as intense and delineated middle weight flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality onto the saline and moderately dry finale. I quite like this as it's like rolling a small pebble around in the mouth and in contrast to the prior wines, this one is going to require at least a few years of patience first." - 90-93pts/Sweet Spot Outstanding BH

2017  Montmains

Montmains -- "The 2017 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is forward, open-knit and very easy to enjoy. Passionfruit, mango, white flowers and mint all grace this silky, sumptuous 1er Cru from Samuel Billaud. Soft contours, forward fruit and the energy of the year all meld together in a wonderfully complete and delicious Chablis from Samuel Billaud. Drink 2020 - 2032." - 92 Points, Antonio Galloni

2016  Chablis 1er Cru

"Initially there is enough reduction to notice but aggressive swirling eventually reveals a ripe but restrained nose that is comprised by the pure essence of pear, apple, iodine and lemon rind. The supple but highly energetic flavors possess a sleek mouth feel and ample minerality that really emerges on the clean, focused and attractively dry finish. Good stuff and worth a look." - 91pts/Outstanding Burghound