93 points “Gentle red fruits rise from the glass. In the mouth it's attractively bright and youthful with citrus and cranberry notes. The very fresh acidity and primary fruits give way to autolytic notes and cappuccino with time followed by a long savoury saline finish.” – Decanter Magazine
Although excellence runs through all of Billecart-Salmon’s releases it’s their delicate rosé for which they are best known. Claimed by many to be the best non-vintage on the market it has acquired something of a cult status amongst Champagne drinkers and wine critics and justifiably so. Pale pink in colour with steady fine bubbles the nose is fine and elegant with soft strawberry and raspberry notes set against savoury bread and biscuit undertones. Refined and delicate in the mouth red fruit flavours come to the fore accentuated by fresh acidity and beautifully balanced bubbles. This wonderful wine would serve as a wonderful aperitif option or alternatively would pair well with salmon and sushi dishes.
Billecart-Salmon – often referred to as “Billy” by those who drink it regularly – can be found in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ just outside Epernay and off on a limb slightly from the bigger Champagne houses. Despite the immense quality they produce their location and medium size have kept them slightly under the radar. Rather than loading their Champagne into every shop and restaurant they’ve drip fed them into expert retailers and the Michelin star restaurants of Paris which gives them a sense of exclusivity and that this is a brand for those in-the-know.
Created by the union of Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas François Billecart in 1818 Billecart-Salmon remains under the ownership of the establishing family which is a real rarity in the big business world of Champagne. Now in the hands of the seventh generation they continue to focus on the family motto: “Give priority to quality strive for excellence.” And they do it with aplomb slowly fermenting at low temperatures to maintain the purity and aromatics of their wines. As Jancis Robinson says “every Champagne enthusiast needs to be familiar with its wine… Billecart-Salmon is set apart as classy elegant and understated both the wine itself and the image the house cultivates.” But be warned Billecart-Salmon may not remain one of those hidden gems forever especially as one of the wines was named “Champagne of the Millennium” by a committee of expert. Interestingly they also took the second place in that same tasting which comprised 150 of the finest Champagnes of the 20th Century. As a result Champagne expert Richard Juhlin warns that this house is “very much in fashion at the moment” and goes as far as to say: “Make sure that you buy wines from Billecart-Salmon before they become as expensive as Krug!”
SKU No.: 326348
Style No.: 89203
Region: Champagne
Grapes: Chardonnay,Pinot Noir,Pinot Meunier
Closure: Cork
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12%
Volume: 750ml
Allergens: Sulphites
93 points “Gentle red fruits rise from the glass. In the mouth it's attractively bright and youthful with citrus and cranberry notes. The very fresh acidity and primary fruits give way to autolytic notes and cappuccino with time followed by a long savoury saline finish.” – Decanter Magazine
Although excellence runs through all of Billecart-Salmon’s releases it’s their delicate rosé for which they are best known. Claimed by many to be the best non-vintage on the market it has acquired something of a cult status amongst Champagne drinkers and wine critics and justifiably so. Pale pink in colour with steady fine bubbles the nose is fine and elegant with soft strawberry and raspberry notes set against savoury bread and biscuit undertones. Refined and delicate in the mouth red fruit flavours come to the fore accentuated by fresh acidity and beautifully balanced bubbles. This wonderful wine would serve as a wonderful aperitif option or alternatively would pair well with salmon and sushi dishes.
Billecart-Salmon – often referred to as “Billy” by those who drink it regularly – can be found in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ just outside Epernay and off on a limb slightly from the bigger Champagne houses. Despite the immense quality they produce their location and medium size have kept them slightly under the radar. Rather than loading their Champagne into every shop and restaurant they’ve drip fed them into expert retailers and the Michelin star restaurants of Paris which gives them a sense of exclusivity and that this is a brand for those in-the-know.
Created by the union of Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas François Billecart in 1818 Billecart-Salmon remains under the ownership of the establishing family which is a real rarity in the big business world of Champagne. Now in the hands of the seventh generation they continue to focus on the family motto: “Give priority to quality strive for excellence.” And they do it with aplomb slowly fermenting at low temperatures to maintain the purity and aromatics of their wines. As Jancis Robinson says “every Champagne enthusiast needs to be familiar with its wine… Billecart-Salmon is set apart as classy elegant and understated both the wine itself and the image the house cultivates.” But be warned Billecart-Salmon may not remain one of those hidden gems forever especially as one of the wines was named “Champagne of the Millennium” by a committee of expert. Interestingly they also took the second place in that same tasting which comprised 150 of the finest Champagnes of the 20th Century. As a result Champagne expert Richard Juhlin warns that this house is “very much in fashion at the moment” and goes as far as to say: “Make sure that you buy wines from Billecart-Salmon before they become as expensive as Krug!”
SKU No.: 326348
Style No.: 89203