Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne

The family owned house of Billecart Salmon has now been in business for over 180 years, and although not particularly well known, it consistently produces some of Champagne's finest cuvees at accessible prices. Their outstanding Blanc de Blancs is a wine that is all about refined elegance.

A very classy drink.

A buoyant white mousse sits atop a straw to pale gold coloured base wine that’s threaded by a very fine, steady stream of tiny bubbles. Refined aromatics of pear, yeast lees and citrus meld into baked bread and subtle oily toast like notes with hints of almond also evident. Showing lots of finesse the elegantly creamed palate is flavoured with pear and yeasty baked bread characters over a back drop of roasted nuts and refreshing citrusy acidity. Long yeasty baked bread, pear, roasted nut, oily toast and citrus aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12%

Tasted February 2011: Pouring with a white creamy mousse that shows good hold, it presents a very pale straw base wine with very fine and exceptionally persistent bead. The nose delivers a refined sniff with aromas of baked bread, light cashew, almond, yeast lees, citrus and toast. The palate displays great elegance and precision along with a creamy texture delivering a sophisticated flavour profile of baked bread, yeast lees, cashew and citrus followed by some light toast characters. Superb length and persistence with long aftertaste of yeast lees, baked bread, cashew and hazelnut.
Drink now or cellar 3-4 years (2011-2015)
96 points

Other Reviews....
This release of the NV Champagne Blanc De Blancs is with the 2018 vintage base as well as 37% reserve wine. A bright medium yellow golden hue, it opens to a lifted and dewy profile with notes of linen, pear, and a hint of tropical fruit of passionfruit and quince coming through. Floral, fresh, and medium-bodied, it floats on the palate with a weightless, airy feel and a very pretty nature throughout. It has a fine mousse and a clean, chalky textured finish that tapers away. It will be very appealing now or over the next 12-15 years. It has the addition of 3.9 grams per liter dosage and was disgorged in May 2024. Drink 2024-2040.
94 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com