2008 Billecart Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois
One thing is for certain; the 2008 vintage in Champagne will go down as one of the all time great vintages of our lifetime. I offered Cuvee Nicolas Francois back in October to amazing response. It was not surprising, as the wine is one of the truly great Champagnes from a reference point vintage. I have been on the search for more and am happy to bring it to you, as well as a few mags, at the same price I offered it in October.
I’ve enjoyed two bottles of this wine since my last writing. Once while in France, and one with the arrival of the stock from the October offering. The wine is incredibly fresh, still tight knit and very much in line with what the vintage offers. There is a mineral component to the nose, some citrus, but the real magic is in the mouth where there is a very straight, penetrating quality that is so light on its feet. It's a wine that keeps pulling you back for another sip.
If you can keep your hands off it, as hard as that might be, this has years of development still ahead of it. If you don’t yet own this one or if you already do, you can’t own enough of this truly special wine. Do yourself a favor and pick up as much as your budget allows - tuck it next to your Dom Perignon and Cristal from this vintage as it will be a fun comparison to enjoy some of the wines of the vintage over the next several decades. Take my word for it this is a stunning Champagne!
2008 Billecart Salmon Nicolas Francois
The 2008 Brut Cure 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 is 60% Pinot Noir (from Mareuil-sur-Ay, 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.
- Vinous Media, 96
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.
- Wine Advocate, 95
NV Billecart Salmon Rose
Based on the 2018 vintage, Billecart's new NV Brut Rosé incorporates 40% reserve wines and some 6% still red wine. Bursting with scents of sweet red berries, peonies, stone fruits, white cherries, freshly baked bread and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and charming, with a seamless and enveloping core of fruit and a lively, fine-boned profile.
- Wine Advocate, 91
