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 today 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 100 hectares of their own vineyards and 200 hectares of managed vineyards from 40 crus mostly within 20 kms of the winery. In 2017 they attained certification High Environmental Value and from 2020 are herbicide free and currently 10 ha are in organic conversion.

Billecart-Salmon's exceptional prestige cuvée rosé was created in 1988 as a tribute to the House’s co-founder. Less than 10% of the Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine. The grapes used to make the red wine are from Valofroy, a plot of old vines on the slopes of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ with a southern exposure. Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon Rosé is not always released in chronological order, but rather when head winemaker François Domi believes it is ready for release.

Weather: The 2006 vintage was a year of mixed weather. It began with a rainy spell and late spring, but with little or no frost in the vineyards. Early summer was positive, with the months of June and July creating perfect conditions for flowering. Although there were some storms in late-July, the overall health of the vines was great since the weather remained hot through to the harvest with spells of rain in August promoting even healthier grapes.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Pinot Noir: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne | Chardonnay: Côte des Blancs | Red Wine: Valofroy
Grape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir | inc. 10% Red Wine
Ageing: 10 years on the lees
Dosage: 6 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: Initial aromas of citrus and complex red berries on the nose are carried through to the palate where fresh figs, peaches and almonds are abundant. Voluptuous hints of ripe fruits and wild strawberries. A champagne with a delicate balance of acidity and creamy textures. This rosé fully expresses the 2006 vintage and given some time to age this will improve and reward accordingly.