Billecart-Salmon
The colour is golden with nascent amber highlights, animated by a thread of exceptionally fine bubbles. The nose reveals a ripe complexity: warm brioche, candied apricot, toasted hazelnut and gentle spice, underpinned by an elegant chalky minerality. On the palate, a silky texture balances the…
THE CUVÉES OF MAISON BILLECART-SALMONThe expert verdict
The structure of this champagne
TASTING NOTES
The colour is golden with nascent amber highlights, animated by a thread of exceptionally fine bubbles. The nose reveals a ripe complexity: warm brioche, candied apricot, toasted hazelnut and gentle spice, underpinned by an elegant chalky minerality. On the palate, a silky texture balances the richness of the Pinot Noir with the citrus brightness of the Chardonnay, leading to a long, saline and persistent finish.
The composition
Terroirs
A blend of 100% grands and premiers crus: the Pinot Noir comes from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Aÿ and Verzenay (Montagne de Reims), whilst the Chardonnay draws from the chalky terroirs of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly and Avize (Côte des Blancs). Ten per cent of the wines were vinified in traditional oak barrels, before the whole was aged for 120 months on lees.
About this house
Founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Élisabeth Salmon, Billecart-Salmon is one of the rare great Champagne houses to have remained in the hands of the same family for seven generations. Its home in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ embodies a craft passed down with unwavering consistency, built around elegance and the precision of its assemblages.
Recognised worldwide for the exceptional fineness of its bubbles, the house favours quality over quantity and constructs its prestige cuvées from rigorously selected premiers and grands crus terroirs. The cuvée Nicolas François, launched in 1964 as a tribute to the house's founder, is its most accomplished expression.
The perfect pairing
Aperitif
Its delicate bubble and crystalline minerality elevate an elegant, airy opening to the meal.
Starter
The extra brut vivacity and citrus notes harmonise beautifully with the freshness of gravlax and its aromatic herbs.
Main course
The depth and long finish of this vintage marry the umami richness of truffle with remarkable affinity.
Autres champagnes
from Maison Billecart-Salmon
