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.

This unique Blanc de Noirs cuvée bears the name of the patron saint of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The one hectare vineyard responds to the most stringent norms: a single, unbroken and enclosed plot with a complete vinification installation in situ. This single vineyard cuvée has an incredible typicity with strength and elegance which will last for decades to come. For each vintage there is between 3,500 and 6,500 bottles released, all individually numbered.

"In the 1950s my grandmother set aside this park-like space next to our house in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ with vines, flowers and fruit trees, for our enjoyment. Realising this outstanding terroir's potential, my family decided to plant the first Pinot Noir vines here in 1964. We tried using the Pinot Noir to make white wine in small Burgundy barrels: an outstanding champagne was about to be born. After several years of painstakingly tending the vines, the 1995 harvest, the first year of this unique cuvée, was remarkable. We called it Le Clos Saint-Hilaire after the patron saint of the church in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ." François Roland-Billecart, 6th Generation

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Ageing: 15 years on the lees
Dosage: 1 g/l
Drink: Now to 2028
Production: 3,700 Bottles

Tasting Note: A sustained yellow gold hue highlighted by golden reflection and ultra-fine bubbles. Aromatic notes of fresh figs, bergamont and light tobacco with blossom and honeyed characteristics on the palate, mixes with citrus, panettone and sweet chestnuts.