2008 billecart-salmon, elisabeth salmon brut rose
Why We're Buying
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Millésime is a tribute to Elisabeth Salmon, the co-founder of the eponymous Champagne house. The cuvée transforms grapes into an art form, distinguishing itself with grandeur and refined character. In 2019, wine critic Antoine Gerbelle rated Billecart-Salmon as one of the world's ten best Champagne houses.
Critics Scores
James Suckling
This is very vinous with aromas of iron, strawberries, old roses and geraniums. So aromatic. Full-bodied, really intense and layered with super dryness and depth. Lots of saline and spicy character at the end, such as clove and pepper, as well as hints of flowers and melted butter. Strawberry tart at the end. 17 in aged oak casks. Blend of 55 pinot noir from six villages (Mareuil sur Ay, Ay, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy) and 45 chardonnay from three Grand Crus (Mesnil sur Oger, Cramant and Chouilly). 9 of the blend is red wine from a parcel in the village of Mareuil sur Ay. Drink now.
Decanter
A superb vintage of this renowned prestige cuvée, this is made from a base of 55 Pinot Noir and 45 Chardonnay, to which is added 9 of red wine. Despite ageing on its lees for 10 years, it remains almost shockingly youthful, its vividly primary flavours of red cherry, strawberry and nectarine wrapped up in a taut, tense frame. It’s silky in texture and intricately complex on the long, elegantly harmonious finish, underlined by a saline chalkiness, and it demonstrates all the requisite completeness and character for long ageing, promising a slow and dignified evolution to come.