BILLECART-SALMON Cuvée Nicolas François Brut Vintage Champagne 2002
- SKU:
- 4063298
- UPC:
- 2310060040716
98 points “Very impressive depth and detail here. The freshness is staggering. Citrus and grilled-hazelnut aromas lead to a palate that has a very concentrated slightly creamy and taut feel. Super long and dense with lemon curd white peaches and a toasty build to the finish. Superb!” – James Suckling
97 points “This is one of the finest wines Billecart has released in the last decade and it is well worth seeking out.” – Wine Advocate
One of the greatest wines of a great year. Created in honour of Billecart-Salmon’s co-founder Cuvée Nicolas François Brut Vintage Champagne 2002 shines brightly with an intense purity and startling elegance; it’s a star a supernova a name to put up in lights. In the glass you’ll discover an appley combination of crunchy Granny Smith and tarte aux pomme as well as almond croissant nougat Mirabelle and tangy citrus zest. It was made from Pinot Noir grown in Premier and Grand Cru sites in Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne and Chardonnay from the Cotes des Blancs. A massive 20% was fermented in oak giving a wealth of richness and the wine spent a decade ageing on the lees imparting all that creaminess and nuttiness. Serve this when you need to impress.
Billecart-Salmon – often referred to as “Billy” by those who drink it regularly – can be found in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ just outside Epernay and off on a limb slightly from the bigger Champagne houses. Despite the immense quality they produce their location and medium size have kept them slightly under the radar. Rather than loading their Champagne into every shop and restaurant they’ve drip fed them into expert retailers and the Michelin star restaurants of Paris which gives them a sense of exclusivity and that this very much a brand for those in-the-know.
Created by the union of Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas François Billecart in 1818 Billecart-Salmon remains under the ownership of the establishing family which is a real rarity in the big business world of Champagne. Now in the hands of the seventh generation they continue to focus on the family motto: “Give priority to quality strive for excellence.” And they do it with aplomb slowly fermenting at low temperatures to maintain the purity and aromatics of their wines. As Jancis Robinson says “every Champagne enthusiast needs to be familiar with its wine… Billecart-Salmon is set apart as classy elegant and understated both the wine itself and the image the house cultivates.” But be warned Billecart-Salmon may not remain one of those hidden gems forever especially as one of the wines was named “Champagne of the Millennium” by a committee of expert. Interestingly they also took the second place in that same tasting which comprised 150 of the finest Champagnes of the 20th Century. As a result Champagne expert Richard Juhlin warns that this house is “very much in fashion at the moment” and goes as far as to say: “Make sure that you buy wines from Billecart-Salmon before they become as expensive as Krug!”
SKU No.: 4063298
Style No.: 940372
Region: Champagne
Grapes: Pinot Noir,Chardonnay,
Closure: Cork
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12.5%
Volume: 750ml
Allergens: Sulphites
98 points “Very impressive depth and detail here. The freshness is staggering. Citrus and grilled-hazelnut aromas lead to a palate that has a very concentrated slightly creamy and taut feel. Super long and dense with lemon curd white peaches and a toasty build to the finish. Superb!” – James Suckling
97 points “This is one of the finest wines Billecart has released in the last decade and it is well worth seeking out.” – Wine Advocate
One of the greatest wines of a great year. Created in honour of Billecart-Salmon’s co-founder Cuvée Nicolas François Brut Vintage Champagne 2002 shines brightly with an intense purity and startling elegance; it’s a star a supernova a name to put up in lights. In the glass you’ll discover an appley combination of crunchy Granny Smith and tarte aux pomme as well as almond croissant nougat Mirabelle and tangy citrus zest. It was made from Pinot Noir grown in Premier and Grand Cru sites in Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne and Chardonnay from the Cotes des Blancs. A massive 20% was fermented in oak giving a wealth of richness and the wine spent a decade ageing on the lees imparting all that creaminess and nuttiness. Serve this when you need to impress.
Billecart-Salmon – often referred to as “Billy” by those who drink it regularly – can be found in the village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ just outside Epernay and off on a limb slightly from the bigger Champagne houses. Despite the immense quality they produce their location and medium size have kept them slightly under the radar. Rather than loading their Champagne into every shop and restaurant they’ve drip fed them into expert retailers and the Michelin star restaurants of Paris which gives them a sense of exclusivity and that this very much a brand for those in-the-know.
Created by the union of Elisabeth Salmon and Nicolas François Billecart in 1818 Billecart-Salmon remains under the ownership of the establishing family which is a real rarity in the big business world of Champagne. Now in the hands of the seventh generation they continue to focus on the family motto: “Give priority to quality strive for excellence.” And they do it with aplomb slowly fermenting at low temperatures to maintain the purity and aromatics of their wines. As Jancis Robinson says “every Champagne enthusiast needs to be familiar with its wine… Billecart-Salmon is set apart as classy elegant and understated both the wine itself and the image the house cultivates.” But be warned Billecart-Salmon may not remain one of those hidden gems forever especially as one of the wines was named “Champagne of the Millennium” by a committee of expert. Interestingly they also took the second place in that same tasting which comprised 150 of the finest Champagnes of the 20th Century. As a result Champagne expert Richard Juhlin warns that this house is “very much in fashion at the moment” and goes as far as to say: “Make sure that you buy wines from Billecart-Salmon before they become as expensive as Krug!”
SKU No.: 4063298
Style No.: 940372