Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012 - 1.5 Litre Bottle

This Champagne is a Blanc de Blancs, meaning it is crafted from 100% Chardonnay, sourced from Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs. Specifically, the blend includes Chardonnay from Mesnil-sur-Oger (60%), Cramant (23%), Chouilly (11%), and Oiry (6%). The wine displays a crystal clear pale gold colour with delicate glints and a persistent, fascinating effervescence.

On the nose, it offers an elegant, complex maturity with notes of yellow fruits and citrus, such as candied mandarin, limoncello, and conference pear, alongside subtle aromatic profiles of cedar and raw butter. A detailed sensory profile reveals incredible aromas of brioche, bread dough, and pie crust, with electrifying fruit like peaches and fresh apples.

The palate delivers a creamy sensation with beautifully chiselled finesse. Stylistic notes include a lovely refreshing balance and a sophisticated purity with a chalky, balanced, and crystalline character. It is described as a powerful wine with a majestic typicity and great structure, yet balanced and creamy. Flavours include zest of citron, almond biscuit, and white pepper, with a prolonged finish featuring sweet citrus fruits, cardamom, and vanilla-flavoured cream puffs. The low dosage of $3.9$ grams per litre contributes to its pure and intense dimension. It is a very young Champagne that needs time to be at its best, with an optimal drinking window suggested from 2025 to 2037. There is no information provided to indicate if the wine is organic.

Accolades

• James Suckling - 99 points

• Vinous - 97 points

• Decanter - 96 points

• The Wine Advocate - 96 points

• Jeb Dunnuck - 96 points

Food Pairing

Suggested pairings tailored to the wine's flavour profile and structure include a casserole of whole calf sweetbread from Corrèze, a creamy shellfish risotto, or abalone from Brittany and samphire. The House's head, Mathieu Roland-Billecart, also suggests pairing a Blanc de Blancs with a seafood platter, lobster, or caviar. A specific pairing recommendation is halibut with Champagne beurre blanc and caviar.
Together, they create an unforgettable dining experience.