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).  — 5 months ago

with Deked1

Shay A

9.3

One of the bottles I brought for a guys night of rosé sparklers and Brunello.

I’ve been on the Ultramarine list for close to 10yrs. I’ve opened bottles young, old and everywhere in-between (both based on vintage and in relation to disgorgement), and after such a disappointing experience with the 2020s (after reading all the CT notes, I opened a ‘20 of each cuveé and found a profile that is not reminiscent of the early Ultramarine days at all), I wanted to open something that reminded me of the good ‘ol days with Ultramarine.

Amongst Egly’s rosé, Krug’s rosé, Westborn’s rosé and tons of grower champagnes, this wasn’t a standout but it was enjoyable and paired beautifully with the food. This bottle was closer in experience to the 2014 (good richness, fruit, but also big structure) vs the 2016 (lighter/brighter, more mineral). Salmon color in the glass with a dash of pink. Not overly reductive or oxidative with waves of red berry fruit and strawberry marscapone. Lovely richness on the palate with some strawberry shortbread cookies amongst more red berry fruit but a nice mineral streak down the middle. Layered. Mousse isn’t quite creamy but it’s soft. Nod to grower champagne with Cali warmth.

This is in a nice integrated spot where the fruit is taking a step back and dancing with the mineral notes. No rush to open, but worth popping soon. — 9 months ago

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.2

13.5% ABV Salute to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier in France. Lulu’s father owned the vineyard , and she along with her husband took it over. Sadly we lost her in October 2020 at the age of 102 y/o. This is a blend of old vine Mataro and Grenache. Light salmon color, watermelon initially , later apple. Very nice! — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured and consumed over two days; best on Day 2. 100% Pinot Meunier from Chaumuzy, the wine actually appears almost brassy in color. On Day 1, the wine was tightly wound; a ball of energy with mostly green apple notes, savory minerals and ripping acid. On Day 2 however, the wine had kept its bubbles well and evolved rather dramatically, rounding out a bit to reveal spiced apples, more red than green, with raspberries and minerals that danced across the palate. A massively crushable Champagne with a long finish. An outstanding NV and paired perfectly with the New Year and Mille Bournes. No disgorgement data that I can find on the label. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Our host served two bottles of this blind. Of course we all guessed them as being two different bottles as there was definitely bottle variation. Got the vintage wrong (I guessed 1995 on the first bottle) but was able to figure out this was Dom Rose. Light salmon color, great nose, sweet. Notes of kiwi, strawberry and powdered stone. Nice power and structure. Improved with air. Good acidity. Nice start to the evening. — 5 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Paired perfectly with sockeye salmon and a summer dinner in the back deck.

Super smooth and some nice strawberry and floral flavors coming out. — 5 months ago

Paul J

9.2

Solid and nice as always. Lovely light salmon color. Strawberries dominate. Refreshing! — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Jay Kline

9.2

This is the Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru with fruit sourced from Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger from mostly the 2017 vintage and some from the 2016 vintage. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The NV BdB Grand Cru pours a light straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart fruit: green apple, star fruit, split almonds, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is super fresh and easy to love, in the house style. Drink now but could easily be cellared for years. Disgorged Q2 of 2023. — 7 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Reddish salmon pink. Cherry but not so sweet, dry. Rich instead. With spices. Rich is a key different from Louis Roederer rose @, AD, 240622 — a year ago

David Shaw

9.1

New summer, new vintage to try. Pale salmon pink, excellent clarity. Nectarine note in nose, even when well chilled. Floral, nectarine and lemon flavors, blessedly dry, mineral finish with a touch of skin astringency. Love this wine! — 3 years ago

Mike R

9.3

Perfect with fried chicken except this was Peruvian chicken lol - lovely full bodied mid palette highly structured champagne- taste of bread stone fruits and smells of white flowers - Hugh smiles — 5 years ago

Joe Wines

9.1

Super yummy — 6 years ago

Dorotea Elisabet

9.9

Yeasty, citrus, delicious, yuzu, tart, and light bubbles. Great for celebrations or For 4pm — 6 months ago

with Noah and Bee

Dawn E.

9.0

Salmon colored, with aromas of apples, brioche, red berries, and peach. On the palate, peach, apple, strawberries, lavender, with a long herbal mild peppery finish. — 6 months ago

Russ Kujan

9.0

2023 vintage rose from Bandol in Provence. Deep salmon color, red fruit on the nose, lovely strawberry flavors, with balanced acidity and a tart finish. — 8 months ago

Michelle Beer

9.1

Dark fruit and mushrooms — a year ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.3

Christmas 2022. From Mark. Enjoyed before and during dinner. Beautiful salmon color. Red berries and citrus. Lovely. Easy drinking. Thank you Mark! — 3 years ago

Neil Blaze

8.9

I tend to be rather picky about rosé, but I always love those from the Tavel area. This one is consistently satisfying. Glorious salmon-pink color and fresh, juicy flavors of strawberry and watermelon. Great with our Niçoise salad! 60% Grenache, 13% Clairette, 13% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 3% Mourvèdre, 1% Bourboulenc. 5/15/22. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light salmon color. Nice energy in the glass. Yeasty nose. Also notes of cranberries, white chalk, kiwi fruit and some wet stones. Nice mouth feel and acidity that pairs with fruit that hides in the background. Lots of power in this. Still a baby. — 5 years ago

Jeff S

10

This incredible sparkling wine is unbelievable! I visited this wonderful vineyard in 2013. The hue of rose’ is almost pale salmon. It’s medium to full body flavor is off the charts delicious. A touch of mineral and fabulous fruit. At the mid palate there is a heartiness I can’t quite figure out. This can rival any and every pink and brut champagne in the world. It’s that great!!! — 5 years ago