Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Cuvee "Nicolas Francois"

(2008 Cuvee) This exceptional cuvée was created in 1964 as a tribute to the House’s founder. It results from the blending of Grands Crusfrom the classified Côte des Blancs vineyards (Chardonnay) and the Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir). Its vinification, partiallyin traditional oak casks, underpins the generous character of this fine, elegant and rich wine.

Winery: Billecart-Salmon
Appellation: Champagne
Average age of vines: N/A
Farming Methods: Conventional
Maturation: 150 months
Soil: Limestone soil
Varietal: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Vineyard Orientation: N/A
Vineyard Size: N/A

Wine	Scores	Downloads	Reviews
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Cuvee "Nicolas Francois" 2008	96 Vinous The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart remains quite potent and young. It’s starting to gain some weight, but it remains a classically austere Champagne. The fruit is reticent, and its contours are angular. The 2008 is a very good wine, but, as I have said in the past, it is a Champagne that belongs to the prior era here. Vinification was 83% in tank and 17% in oak, likely a decision made to give the wine more body in this decidedly lean vintage. Dosage is 2.9 grams per liter. Disgorged: first trimester 2022. 96 Wine Advocate 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. – Yohan Castaing, Apr 2023 97 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. Drink or hold. 97 Wine Enthusiast This beautiful Champagne is now fully mature. With toasty characters, touches of fresher fruit and taut acidity, the wine has a little spice from wood fermentation. 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.	Bottle Image Label Image Shelf Talker Tech Sheet
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Cuvee "Nicolas Francois" 2012	95 Vinous The 2012 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows all the natural radiance of the year. There’s gorgeous resonance and texture here. Apricot, spice, tangerine oil and lightly honeyed notes infuse the palate with notable depth and persistence. This rich, expansive Champagne has a ton to offer. This release was disgorged nearly two years ago, which also adds to its complexity. Dosage is 3.8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023.	Bottle Image Label Image Shelf Talker Tech Sheet