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Billecart-Salmon Nicolas Francois Billecart 2008

Gift Boxed

Mix 12
£162.00
Mix 6
£164.00
Per Bottle
£168.00

No Gift Box

Mix 12
£154.00
Mix 6
£156.00
Per Bottle
£160.00
Description & Technical Information
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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.

Billecart-Salmon's exceptional prestige cuvée was created in 1964 as a tribute to the House’s co-founder Nicolas-François Billecart who married Elisabeth Salmon in 1818. The 17% maturation in 15 year-old traditional oak barrels underpins the generous character of this fine, elegant and rich champagne.

Weather in 2008: After a rainy but mild winter without any prolonged cold spells, spring arrived with some very localised frosts. Cool weather returned in June and the infrequent sunshine prolonged the feeling of freshness. The spring to autumn weather was bright with sunny spells and the long, hot days and cool nights during September gave the grapes excellent acidity during the harvest period. The 2008 vintage is fast emerging as one of the best since the renowned and now-legendary 2002.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 83% Grands Crus and 17% Premiers Crus Vineyards: 60% Pinot Noir: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Verzenay & Aÿ | 40% Chardonnay: Mesnil, Chouilly & Cramant
Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Disgorged: March 2022
Bottling Date: June 2009
Lees Ageing: 12.5 Years
Vinification: 83% vinified in stainless steel tanks and 17% in oak barrels with Partial malolactic fermentation
Dosage: 2.9 g/l
Drink: Now to 2040

Tasting Note: The age-complexed nose is creamy with toffee layers as well as notable oaky presence. Sweet honey tones mark its autumnal red fruit profile of intriguing aromatic complexity. The palate comes with quite a contrast to the linear and driven palate of accentuated acidity. Some of the contrast comes from Billecart-Salmon going for as low a dosage as 2,9g/l, as they felt more would have masked the fruit and brought heaviness. Structure-wise it is suggesting great longevity. - Tasting note by Essi Avellan MW
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Overview
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Expert Reviews
94 → 96/100
Essi Avellan MW
“Billecart-Salmon are one of the last houses to bring out their 2008 prestige cuvée after having it spend glorious 150 months on lees. The age-complexed nose is creamy with toffee layers as well as notable oaky presence. Sweet honey tones mark its autumnal red fruit profile of intriguing aromatic complexity. The palate comes with a refreshing contrast to the nose with its linear and driven palate of mouthwatering acidity. Some of the racy contrast comes from Billecart-Salmon going for as low a dosage as 2,9g/l, as they felt more would have masked the fruit and brought heaviness. Structure-wise it is suggesting great longevity and I am greatly looking forward to following its evolution. ”
96/100
Antonio Galloni
“The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is an electric, nervy Champagne that very much reflects the style of the year. Crushed rocks, mint, spice, dried herbs, hazelnut, lemon peel and marzipan are all beautifully laced together. The 2008 is just entering its first plateau of maturity, making it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next two decades, possibly more. The blend id 60% Pinot Noir (from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzy and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay (from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant). It's a terrific effort, although I must add that a recent visit made it pretty clear that even better things lie ahead. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.”
96/100
Yohan Castaing
“The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels.”
97/100
James Suckling
“Lovely precision and drive to this with aromas of lemon curd, brioche, praline, apricots, pomelos, mandarin zest and salted caramel. It’s held together by a sharp, citrusy backbone of acidity, balanced with a fine, silky mousse. Both structure and softness here. Citrus fruit brightness on a beautifully elegant and seamless finish. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. 150 months on lees. 2.9g/L dosage.”
News Articles
  1. Billecart-Salmon: 2018 Vins Clairs Tasting

    Billecart-Salmon: 2018 Vins Clairs Tasting

    April 22, 2019

    Billecart-Salmon were one of the first houses to pick grapes last year, kicking off their harvest on 22nd August. We tasted the vins clairs with new Chef de Cave Florent Nys, and also shared a comprehensive range of finished champagnes.
  2. Single Vineyard Champagne: Fad or Future?

    Single Vineyard Champagne: Fad or Future?

    January 19, 2019

    Since the early 21st century, a quiet revolution has been occurring in Champagne, and the ever-burgeoning demand for artisanal, hand-crafted cuvées continues to flourish. What are the origins of single vineyard champagnes, why are they so popular, and are they a fad or the future?
  3. Champagne in 2019: What Can We Expect?

    Champagne in 2019: What Can We Expect?

    January 16, 2019

    Our previous write-up highlighted what a spectacular year 2018 was for champagne. The good news? 2019 is set to be even bigger! In this article, we look to the future and discuss which champagnes we can expect to be released in 2019.
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