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.
Since its first release in 1982, the Billecart-Slamon Grande Cuvee has revealed all its character to a following of informed wine lovers. This great wine, produced from the finest sites of selected grands crus, comes into its own after spending 10 years in our traditional cellars. This cuvee deserves its title of “Grand Cru” thanks to the meticulous blend of grapes, exclusively from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grands crus.
96 Points Wine Advocate
Billecart-Salmon’s 2012 Nicolas François marks the first release since 2008 and stands as another success. The fundamentals remain unchanged: settling and fermentation at low temperatures, a small proportion vinified in oak barrels and partial malolactic fermentation (20% was blocked in 2012). This vintage was characterized by a prolonged flowering period, significant rainfall and mildew pressure, resulting in a small crop. The harvest of fruit, which contributed to this cuvée, took place between September 17 and 22. “It was crucial to select only the ripest fruit, as maturation varied significantly between plots,” explains Billecart’s head winemaker, Florent Nys. But what of the wine itself? Disgorged in May 2023 with a dosage of 3.8 grams per liter, it exudes aromas of candied lemon, honeysuckle and ripe peach, mingling with nuances of beeswax and orange zest. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, boasting a layered, concentrated core, a chalky structure and mouthwatering acidity, despite the warm vintage. It concludes with a persistent, saline finish, hinting at the savory complexity that has emerged with such notable bottle age. Compared to the 2008, which remains tightly coiled, the 2012 is broader-shouldered and more demonstrative.
95 Points Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows all the natural radiance of the year. There’s gorgeous resonance and texture here. Apricot, spice, tangerine oil and lightly honeyed notes infuse the palate with notable depth and persistence. This rich, expansive Champage has a ton to offer. This release was disgorged nearly two years ago, which also adds to its complexity…The significant increase in quality at Billecart-Salmon is no longer news, but it’s still worth mentioning. Quite simply, the Champagnes here have never been better.