Product Information:
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Blanc de Blancs was named in tribute to Louis, Elisabeth Salmon’s brother, who was passionate about oenology and highly involved in winemaking from the earliest creation of the House. Originating from the best parcels of the Côte des Blancs, the Blanc de Blancs vintage is endowed with purity and minerality. Distinguished elegance of a mineral and exceptionally precise Chardonnay with a natural balance that is a harmonious representation of the best parcels of grand crus of Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly for the finesse and Mesnil-sur-Oger for the structure and longevity.
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Blanc de Blancs possesses the distinguished elegance of and intensity of Chardonnay, its minerality and natural balance is representative of the best parcels of Grand crus of Côte des Blancs. This Champagne includes 58% Cramant, 21% Chofilly, 21% Mesnil-sur-Oger for the structure and longevity. Vinification is 100% stainless steel tanks with a very low dosage of 3.75g/l. Maturation on lees is a lengthy 144 months for texture and building layers of complexity.
Maker:
Champagne Billecart-Salmon was founded with the marriage of Nicolas-François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in 1818. Situated in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, near Epernay. Champagne Billecart-Salmon is still a family-run organisation with seventh generation Mathieu Roland-Billecart overseeing business. In 2016 Chef de Cave François Domi retired after 30 years with Billecart and handed over to his deputy Florent Nys who started with the business in 2005. The vineyards are overseen by Denis Blée and all of the team are members of the eight strong "tasting committee" along with 6th generation François Roland-Billecart and Antoine Roland-Billecart and fifth generation Jean Roland-Billecart. By 2020 production had expanded with grapes now coming from 300 hectares and 40 crus mostly within 20 kms of the winery.
Vineyard:
From the Côte des Blancs to the Montagne de Reims, the grands crus grow under the Champenois sunshine. Here the vines are tended to day by day, blossoming slowly to the sounds of natures rhythm. The champagnes of Maison Billecart-Salmon are above all created thanks to the knowledge of the men who rigorously cultivate an estate of 100 hectares, obtaining grapes from an area totalling 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, Meunier and Chardonnay co-exist, in the ethereal vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs.
Nose - Blossoms, Yuzu, Pear Syrup
The first expression is distinctive for its elegant patina that’s nutty and complex, with flesh and pulp of citrus fruits (mandarin, yuzu, and pear in syrup). An aromatic profile of distinguished and sophisticated purity and a chalky, balanced and crystalline character think fresh honey and cultured butter.
Palate - Mandarin, Brioche, White Pepper
A creamy sensation in the mouth with a beautifully chiselled finesse. Beautiful and refreshing balance of natural flavours(marzipan, flaky brioche, white fruits and white pepper). This powerful, soaring wine with majestic typicity prolongs its finish towards an aromatic persistence of incredible length (cardamom, fresh mango and lemon caviar).
Finish - White Pepper, Chalk, Minerals
Creamy, very fine bubbles. Salty, turning chalky and mineral at the end
Fantastic complexity and all in balance, with firm focus yet open and delicious. Creamy, very fine bubbles. Salty, turning chalky and mineral at the end. - James Suckling, 96 Points.
Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs presents its mineral texture and impressively fresh white fruits. Its taut character gives the Champagne a nervy character that helps keep its surprising youthfulness. Drink now. - Roger Voss, WineEnthusiast.com, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2009
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12%
