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2008 Billecart-Salmon Nicolas Francois #907875268
93.5
Cellar Tracker
Based on 28 reviews
Reviews 96 points Wine Advocate "It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Ay, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels. (YC)" 96 points Vinous "The 2008 Brut Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart is an electric, nervy Champagne that very much reflects the style of the year. Crushed rocks, mint, spice, dried herbs, hazelnut, lemon peel and marzipan are all beautifully laced together. The 2008 is just entering its first plateau of maturity, making it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next two decades, possibly more. The blend id 60% Pinot Noir (from Mareuil-sur-Ay, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzy and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay (from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant). (AG)"
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About Billecart-Salmon
Billecart-Salmon, established in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, stands proud as the oldest continuously family-owned Champagne House. The union between Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, fortified with oenological expertise from Louis Salmon, led to a House known for its meticulous commitment to quality. Today, under the guidance of the seventh-generation leader, Mathieu Roland-Billecart, the House upholds its longstanding motto: "give priority to quality, strive for excellence."
Their vineyard extends over 100 hectares, but they source grapes from an expansive 300 hectares across 40 crus of the Champagne region, primarily within 20km of Epernay. This coverage allows them to access the finest Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.
In the 1950s, Billecart-Salmon introduced a groundbreaking technique: cold settling combined with extended fermentations at lower temperatures in stainless steel tanks. This method, preserving the nuances of each terroir, ensures the House’s signature finesse, elegance, and balance. This commitment to quality is further evident in the maturation process: non-vintage cuvées are aged for over three years, while prestige vintage cuvées rest for over a decade in their chalk cellars.
The meticulous approach extends to their tasting committee, which comprises three Billecart family generations and both past and present cellar masters. This committee blind-tastes every vinified parcel at every evolution stage, reinforcing their dedication to producing only the finest champagnes.
Responding to climate change, Billecart-Salmon has adopted sustainable strategies. They prioritize north-facing parcels, re-evaluate vine clones, reintroduce grass into vineyards, and adopt ploughing techniques that promote healthy competition for the plants. Eschewing weedkillers, the estate opts for organic fertilizers, reflecting their commitment to environmental stewardship.
For collectors and enthusiasts, Billecart-Salmon offers champagnes with unparalleled finesse and freshness. Their flagship cuvée, Brut Rosé, epitomizes the perfect blend of tradition and innovation that this esteemed House represents. Few Champagnes are as delicious and iconic year after year!
Their vineyard extends over 100 hectares, but they source grapes from an expansive 300 hectares across 40 crus of the Champagne region, primarily within 20km of Epernay. This coverage allows them to access the finest Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.
In the 1950s, Billecart-Salmon introduced a groundbreaking technique: cold settling combined with extended fermentations at lower temperatures in stainless steel tanks. This method, preserving the nuances of each terroir, ensures the House’s signature finesse, elegance, and balance. This commitment to quality is further evident in the maturation process: non-vintage cuvées are aged for over three years, while prestige vintage cuvées rest for over a decade in their chalk cellars.
The meticulous approach extends to their tasting committee, which comprises three Billecart family generations and both past and present cellar masters. This committee blind-tastes every vinified parcel at every evolution stage, reinforcing their dedication to producing only the finest champagnes.
Responding to climate change, Billecart-Salmon has adopted sustainable strategies. They prioritize north-facing parcels, re-evaluate vine clones, reintroduce grass into vineyards, and adopt ploughing techniques that promote healthy competition for the plants. Eschewing weedkillers, the estate opts for organic fertilizers, reflecting their commitment to environmental stewardship.
For collectors and enthusiasts, Billecart-Salmon offers champagnes with unparalleled finesse and freshness. Their flagship cuvée, Brut Rosé, epitomizes the perfect blend of tradition and innovation that this esteemed House represents. Few Champagnes are as delicious and iconic year after year!