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 Rendez-vous No.2 is the latest addition to the Billecart-Salmon range, a 100% Pinot Noir blend. Created from the historic terroirs of the Montagne de Reims: Ambonnay and Verzenay, where the Pinot Noir varietal gives wine from this region its distinctive identity. The vineyards from the Montagne de Reims are ideally facing south, on chalk subsoil, with roots being buried deep underground. No.2 is based on 2014 with 22% reserve wines from 2012.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Villages of Ambonnay and Verzenay of the Montagne de Reims
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Ageing: 5.5 years on the lees
Base Wine: 2014
Reserve wines: 22% from 2012
Disgorged: October 2020
Dosage: 2 g/l
Drink: Now to 2028

Tasting Note: A golden yellow hue with cherry blossom and violet aromas on the nose, juicy citrus is present and onto the palate, candied lemon paste, tangerine and licorice. The Pinot Noir is giving a great texture and with 5.5 years on lees the mid palate evolves towards a chalky and slightly peppery tastes. Has a great finish with tangy flavors of fresh rasberries.

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, the House were forced to sell most of their vineyards during the difficulties of the early 20th century and today their 15 hectares cover a small proportion of their production needs. To finance their recovery 45% of the business was sold to Frey Group a local investor whose vast resources aid greatly in the sourcing of grapes. By 2020 production had expanded with grapes now coming from 300 hectares and 40 crus mostly within 20 kms of the winery. Still a family-run organisation, seventh generation Mathieu Roland-Billecart oversees 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.

The House style is intensely bright and fruity with an increasingly oxidative tone brought about by the recent re-introduction of oak. The Billecart-Salmon portfolio is vast but they are perhaps best known for their prestige cuvées, Cuvée Nicolas-François and Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé. In 1999, Cuvée Nicolas-François 1959 was awarded 'Champagne of the Millennium' by a committee of experts at a blind tasting session involving 150 vintages from the most illustrious champagne producers. The jewel of the estate however, is the single-vineyard champagne Clos Saint Hilare: a monstrously powerful cuvée originating from a single Pinot Noir plot sheltered by a wall of stone.

Cellar Master: Florent Nys
Winery Location: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Vallée de la Marne
Annual Production (bottles): 2,000,000