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).  — a month ago

with Deked1

Mario Vaillancourt

9.2

Nez de citron, coquillages entre autres et ce côté salin et assez stylé Droin, assez vif sans excès avec finesse et fraîcheur, juste assez de rondeur avec quelques années en bouteille pour en faire un vin plus équilibré, beaucoup de classe et d'élégance, très typé Vaudésir, toutefois, pas le Chablis GC avec la finale la plus longue mais un fort joli vin. 91-92

Gorgeous Droin GC with sea shells, salinity and lemon aromas and tastes, fresh, crisp, yet elegant and classy, nice balance with a medium length finish but a very nice bottle. — 4 years ago

RV2

9.2

My new favorite! — 7 months ago

Peter Nyvall

9.5

Stellar grenach blanc, perfect summer wine — a year ago

Mollie Laidly

8.9

had this slightly chilled — 3 years ago

TClark

9.0

Love it when my shipment from them arrives !! — 4 years ago

Diane Heyboer

9.0

What a fantastic little bubbly. Light and crisp. Lemon, yeast and breast quality. Some green apple flavors and a hint of a floral or herby note. Absolutely delicious. Would buy again in a heartbeat. — 8 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Ginny DeLacey

9.3

Excellent brutal. Drank during jazz fest weekend. — 2 years ago

with Joseph

Josh Dragseth

9.2

This is a nice, crisp and smooth Chardonnay. — 3 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.0

Once again very nice, a touch buttery and with some lemon zest, fresh and nice vivid and energetic structure. 90-91

Magnifique et complet encore une fois, touche beurrée et citronnée, tout en fraîcheur et saveur ayant une belle charpente d’acidité bien dosée. 90-91 — 4 years ago