With great pleasure I share the wines of Billecart-Salmon one of the outstanding smaller producers in Champagne. They control an estate of 100 hectares, obtaining grapes from an area spanning 300 hectares across 40 crus of the Champagne region. The majority of the grapes used for vinification come from a radius of 20km around Epernay, where the Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay co-exist, in the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs.
Now in its seventh generation, the house was initially formed with the marriage of 1818 when Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in 1818. This remains a family winery since the beginning with Louis Salmon, brother of Elisabeth and a passionate oenologist, getting involved in the creation of the wines.
They have a range of wines including their flagship ‘Nicolas Billecart’ and the two world-class champagnes that I tasted, their ‘Cuvee Louise Blanc de Blancs’ as well as their ‘Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon' Brut Rosé.’ Their NV Rose Champagne remains one of the most popular Rose bottlings you will find in the United States. CEO Mathieu Roland-Billecart has been at the helm since January 2019 and he brings a vast knowledge of his house and the surrounding Champagne region.
I was totally blown away with the sumptuous 2013 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon' Brut Rosé’ Champagne (OB, 98) which is one of the finest editions of this wine that I have ever tasted. Learn more about this famed champagne house at https://www.champagne-billecart.fr Here are the beautiful new Champagnes by Billecart-Salmon.
2013 Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvee Louise Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne- The dazzling 2013 Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvee Louise Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne was given 4G/L dosage and was disgorged in January 2024. It can benefit from 20-30 minutes in the decanter as it comes off initially a bit reticent. Once aroused, this is a dense, very nervy and heady bottling that shows a glorious core of lemon oil and melon fruits alongside nutty and stony nuances. The length and weight here is really outstanding. Drink 2026-2042- 96
2013 Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon' Brut Rosé’ Champagne- The brilliant 2013 Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon' Brut Rosé is comprised of 53% Pinot Noir from Aÿ as well as Bouzy, as well as the remainder Chardonnay. It shows off its gorgeous light pink hue in the glass, with a light effervescence. The nose is very pretty and highly nuanced, with walnut notes that combine with bright raspberry and poem grate seed alongside blood orange zest notes. The palate is very mineral-laden and intense, with a glorious core of bright red fruits and a silky mousse. The length is sumptuous here as this is best enjoyed over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2044- 98