Vanessa

9.5

Prior notes continue to apply…

When we visited Billecart-Salmon in October of 2021, we received a tour of the stunning estate. Along the way, our guide, Jerome, paused near a traditional “Clos” (a single vineyard, enclosed by a wall) on the property. 

We could see a beautiful stone wall, surrounding a tiny 1 hectare parcel of “Clos Saint-Hilaire,” named after the Patron Saint & local church in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where Billecart-Salmon is located. 

Although we didn’t go into the Clos, we learned about how special this parcel is to the family; how it’s exclusively planted to Pinot Noir with vines dating back to 1964; how work in the vineyard is performed by hand and horse-drawn plows; how this parcel is farmed according to an age-old savoir-faire, adhering to principles of sustainable viticulture.

The wine is pale gold with a prominent bouquet of yellow apple, Anjou pear, raspberry, lemon curd, white peach, white blossom, desiccated white rose, wet stones, biscuit, brioche, almond paste, marzipan, crusty croissant, pie crust, toast, creamy texture and persistent, fine-beaded mousse and long elegant finish.

This is a 2005 “Blanc de Noirs” Champagne, comprised of 100% Pinot Noir, all coming from Le Clos Saint Hilaire, vinified entirely in oak casks to lend texture and body, and aged over 13 years sur lie prior to its recent release.  Due to the vineyard’s small size, production is very limited, and wine only produced in the best vintages.

Cheers to beautiful wines expressing a singularity of time and place!

Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire (2005).  — 2 months ago

with Deked1

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Beautiful fruit! Straw yellow color. Nice lemony aromas with notes of wet slate. Intense minerality on the pallet with hints of citrus and green apple. Mouth watering chalky acidity. Crisp, clean and lengthy. The actual bottle is also beautiful! — 4 years ago

with Kasey

Donna Craig

9.1

Seamus brought 4-25, love it! — 5 months ago

Amanda Truett

9.0

Slightly sweet got at red or white — 10 months ago

Peter Coulthard

9.7

TSWC. Superb. Absolutely wonderful dessert wine. — 3 years ago

Peter Cardinale

8.9

Rich texture and smooth earthy tones — 6 years ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Plum and smoke, medium body, tart aftertaste, paired well with a duck and mole sauce. — 9 months ago

Peter Coulthard

9.2

TSWC. Excellent house wine for under £7 — 2 years ago

Peter Coulthard

9.4

Very drinkable. Lovely with meats and cheeses — 3 years ago

Fredybeans

9.2

Robe jaune clair
Nez frais agrume et notes épicée voire saline
Bouche ample et fraîche avec une finale toute fois un peu massive et dense — 6 years ago