One of the leading families of Champagne, this medium sized, high quality domain is one to be admired. Billecart-Salmon champagne has a fresh, clean and elegant style. They champion the use of the Meunier Grape which is often added to other cuvees without fanfare in other houses. The absolutely pristine winemaking facilities of Billecart-Salmon are located in Mareuil-Sur-Ay are overseen by multiple generations of the family as well as Chief winemaker Francois Domi. The house purposely ferments at a lower temperature, lengthening the ferment to weeks and not days as can be standard in Champagne, which helps capture the pristine nature of the fruit. Every step of the winemaking process at the house is artful, right down to the precision of the dosage which is unique for every disgorgement conducted in batches.
97 Points Decanter
A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees (longer than some Prestige Cuvees), the 2008 was first released onto the global market back in March 2019. With an Extra Brut dosage of 4g/l, this is a highly expressive, confident and convincing interpretation of the vintage. Right now, it is youthfully sharp and focused with fine salinity, depth, acidity and balance, and as such is already extremely approachable. The flavour spectrum encompasses toast, oyster shell, citrus, cream and a flinty, mineral depth. There’s supreme balance and elegance here, combined with a hidden underlying power that will continue to emerge and broaden with time. The finish is dry and long.
97 Points Tyson Stelzer
Categorically the finest Extra Brut ever conceived, this is a cuvee of laser line and immortal structure that rejoices in the lightning energy of 2008 and the exacting precision engineering that is Billecart. A glowing, medium straw hue is a dazzling prelude to its scintillating purity and drive, cut with magnificent acid line and high-tensile chalk structure. The distinguished, north-east facing slopes of Verzy and Verzenay take a delightfully fragrant and pure lead, presenting white cherry and strawberry hull that ring out in clear peals like church bells. Age has done nothing to evolve its pitch-perfect high notes, lending just the most subtle nuance of fresh almond. A cuvée to age for another 20 years at least – and it will live effortlessly for 50. In sheer, breathtaking purity, monumental chalk minerality, endless longevity – not to mention ludicrous affordability – Extra Brut 2008 is one of the champagne buys of the decade.