100 Points
98 Points
97 Points

Billecart-Salmon Nicolas Francois Champagne 2008

SKU: BSNF200810 UCAU

$419.99

Unit price: per

Billecart Salmon is known within France and around the globe for fashioning the most elegant Champagnes.

Beautifully toned red fruit with background mushroom and spice aromas.

The palate has a vibrant array of zesty and succulent red berries.

Critic Scores

100 // Tyson Stelzer

"Long have I anticipated Nicolas François Billecart 2008 and my first encounter came with Antoine in the dining room of the house in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. I spent a full 20 minutes riveted by its evolution in the glass, moving me to tears. The profound precision and intricate, molecular detail that defines Billecart is transported to a higher level of fidelity in 2008, illuminating a brilliant display of fine chalk minerality of the highest proportions. A saline chalk core erupts from its depths, framing the most pure lemon fruit and strawberry hull; emphatically, unrelentingly and sublimely primary, without even the slightest movement toward evolution. In time, pinot steps forward in the most gloriously pure red cherry fruits. Even 17 months post-disgorgement, it is still intricately, tightly coiled, with an undeterred line and unrelenting persistence; a high-tensile spring of taut, pure energy that screams out for a lifetime to uncoil. This is an NFB with sixty years of glorious life stretching before it, and strictly must not to be approached for at least another decade yet."

98 // Jeb Dunnuck

"…Full-bodied, it’s supple in texture, with a rounded mousse, and has a long-lasting, mouthwatering finish. Exceptionally well-balanced, it comes together seamlessly on the finish. This will be a wine to enjoy over the next three decades."

97 // Decanter

"On release this is reserved, taut and subtle, with sourdough, confit lemon and gentle blackberry Pinot fruit presented with daring dryness (just 2.9g/L residual sugar) and intensity. The texture surrounding the firm acidity is cool, clean and lightly creamy, the mousse beautifully delicate. Somewhat inscrutable and firm at the moment, this structured and lean Cuvée Nicolas François stands to gain considerable expressiveness with time under cork. Made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 83% grand cru vineyards. 17% oak-vinified with 150 months on lees, disgorged in summer 2022."

Product Details

Sparkling

2008

Chardonnay / Pinot Noir

Billecart Salmon

Champagne, France

Drink Now

Cork

13.5%

750ml (Bottle)

In Stock

ONLY 1 LEFT IN-STOCK!

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Description

Family run since the 19th century, the Billecart Champagne house delivers large number of bottles which are always well made and of the highest quality.
This prestigious cuvée, created in 1964 as a homage to the founder of the Champagne house, is the result of an assembly which has remained unchanged since its creation. The vinification, partially in traditional barrels, asserts a well-rounded and generous character, favouring a subtle and natural elegance. Formulation: 83% grand crus and 17% premier crus; 60% pinot noir from the premier and grand crus of the Montagne de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne, 40% chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs; 17% vinified in oak barrels; aged 10 years on lees; 2.9g/L dosage; cork.
A beautiful golden yellow, glinting with bright sparkles. The glittering, crystalline appearance is set off by an eruption of finely chiselled bubbles. It combines all the richness of an aromatic curve, both complex and refreshing. Fine intense notes of orchard fruits, combined with the characters of nuts and stone fruit (lightly roasted flaked almonds, frangipani, candied mandarin peel) and accentuated by the radiance of a floral persistence (acacia flower and rose petal). The balance of a tension achieved by the fullness of the wine (fresh yellow raspberry, fresh quince, honey biscuits and lemon caviar) symbolised by the conduct of noble flavours (fresh fig, liquorice and pigeon heart tomato). A texture with a strong personality, with its limestone imprint and an incredible intensity, curbed by its fully integrated low dosage. The finish with a rare complexity develops towards notes of toasted bread and bergamot.
This impressive vintage with great depth, tense and mineral, characterised by an elegant vinosity, offers you all the distinction of a well-aged champagne. Served at cellar temperature (11°C to 12°C), this cuvée will bring out the flavours of an excellent sole in lemon butter or a delicious milk-fed veal chop with chanterelle mushrooms.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Aroma:

Creamy, Lemon, Mineral

Palate:

Apple, Cream, Lemon

Food Pairings:

Cheese

Fish

Tasting Notes

Description

Family run since the 19th century, the Billecart Champagne house delivers large number of bottles which are always well made and of the highest quality.

This prestigious cuvée, created in 1964 as a homage to the founder of the Champagne house, is the result of an assembly which has remained unchanged since its creation. The vinification, partially in traditional barrels, asserts a well-rounded and generous character, favouring a subtle and natural elegance. Formulation: 83% grand crus and 17% premier crus; 60% pinot noir from the premier and grand crus of the Montagne de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne, 40% chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs; 17% vinified in oak barrels; aged 10 years on lees; 2.9g/L dosage; cork.

A beautiful golden yellow, glinting with bright sparkles. The glittering, crystalline appearance is set off by an eruption of finely chiselled bubbles. It combines all the richness of an aromatic curve, both complex and refreshing. Fine intense notes of orchard fruits, combined with the characters of nuts and stone fruit (lightly roasted flaked almonds, frangipani, candied mandarin peel) and accentuated by the radiance of a floral persistence (acacia flower and rose petal). The balance of a tension achieved by the fullness of the wine (fresh yellow raspberry, fresh quince, honey biscuits and lemon caviar) symbolised by the conduct of noble flavours (fresh fig, liquorice and pigeon heart tomato). A texture with a strong personality, with its limestone imprint and an incredible intensity, curbed by its fully integrated low dosage. The finish with a rare complexity develops towards notes of toasted bread and bergamot.

This impressive vintage with great depth, tense and mineral, characterised by an elegant vinosity, offers you all the distinction of a well-aged champagne. Served at cellar temperature (11°C to 12°C), this cuvée will bring out the flavours of an excellent sole in lemon butter or a delicious milk-fed veal chop with chanterelle mushrooms.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Aroma:

Creamy, Lemon, Mineral

Palate:

Apple, Cream, Lemon

Food Pairings:

Cheese

Fish

Billecart Salmon

In 1818, Nicolas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon founded a Champagne house in Mareuil-sur-AØ that is still family owned and operated by their descendants nearly 200 years later. The estate-grown grapes total 100 hectares, while those used in production (of 220 hectares) are sourced from 40 crus in the Champagne region. The grapes for BillecartÕs most prestigious cuvee, however, are hidden away in a small garden plot next to the family home in Mareuil-sur-AØ. The Clos Saint-Hilaire, named after the patron saint of the regionÕs church, measures just one hectare of Pinot Noir planted in 1968. Today, the 6th generation, Francois and Antoine Roland are at the helm of the house, supported by Denis BlŽe, Vineyard Director. BlŽe knows the vineyards well; heÕs been their keeper for the past twenty years. Using draught horses to till the vineyard, he promotes deep, minerally enriched roots that produce small, concentrated berries. This method also assists to promote biodiversity in the vineyard, which has allowed the winery to do away with herbicides.

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