Purity and minerality. The noble elegance of a defined and mineral Chardonnay. Its natural balance reflects a harmonious model of a blend of the best Grands Crus sites of the Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly for its finesse, Avize for its power and Mesnil-sur-Oger for its structure and longevity.

Tasting Notes:

A crystalline appearance with a golden yellow robe and a few green glints of youth allowing a dynamic, intensely persistent effervescence to arise.

The first impression characterises itself through the minerality and the subtle delicacy of the complexity of the fruit (whipped cream, white flowers and citrus fruits). A noble and distinguished aromatic expression from a chalky Chardonnay of great purity.

In the mouth, A creamy tactile sensation with a remarkable finesse offering an exquisite texture with a distinguished smoothness. A beautifully refreshing balance with natural flavours (citron zest, donut peach and white pepper) associated to the personality of a great vintage. 

This wine, powerful and emphatic, prolongs its finish to an aromatic persistence with majestic length.

Food Pairing:

The unique dimension of a pure and intense Blanc de Blancs associated to a finely studied dosage. Its great potential and dignified personality is allied to an exquisite delicateness worthy of the most beautiful gustatory matches (whole baked veal sweetbread, creamy shellfish risotto).

Serving:

Serve at 11-12°.

Background Information:

Billecart-Salmon, a medium-size Champagne House in Mareuil-sur-Ay, was founded in 1818 by the original owners Nicolas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon who combined their names on marriage to create the brand. It is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to remain family owned.

Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100% control of production.

Billecart-Salmon is renowned for the quality of its delicate Rose, whilst the Brut Reserve (a blend of three vintages) is a beautifully harmonious and balanced wine. All have the ability to age very well.

The Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart 1959 won the title in the Champagne of the Millennium 1999, out of 150 of the finest 20th Century champagnes. A magnum of the winning champagne later sold for £3,300