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

Byron Hewett

9.1

Cherry liqueur, mineral spine. Vibrant acidity. You can smell the stem inclusion here. Quite nice. The cork smelled of TCA, but the wine was sound. Whew! Got lucky! — 2 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Remarkable complexity and uniqueness mark this 2018. One thing I love about Sauvignon is it’s ability to adapt to where it is - and terroir comes flying out of this glass. Let’s start with the aromas because… omg I’m overwhelmed with an intimate old sweaty gym bag! Some petrol comes after, but it’s more subtle. Powerfully tight, like it’s poised to spring out of the glass. Tart grapefruit dominates with touches of tomato vine and other herbaceous notes. Long, strong, finish. It doesn’t sound appealing but it is. — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Family dinner at my brothers house - sister and her hubby visiting from England. This selection from Mike’s Wall of Wendouree “. This was more black fruit plummy opulence than usual for Wendouree. Rich and intense which is par for the course with this producer. Consumed a little young at only 14 years of age. This is the Cabernet Malbec not the Shiraz Mataro. — 2 years ago

ScottandTina

9.1

A special wine — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.1

This some great barolo right there. Rose petals, tar, cherry, almond, a bit of heat too. This is super inviting. The palate is long, acid driven, with lovely cherry notes all along and a lively mouthfeel. There are some almond and earthy notes too. Then comes the excitement, a gigantic drying tannic wall that comes in and disrupts completely a mouthfeel that will now show fruit, umami and that drying layer all over a long, long,long finish. — 3 months ago

Joe Fischer

9.8

Don’t know if this is the last 96 bottle in existence, but it is wonderful! Ruby with a bit of brown tinge. Aromas of green pepper, plum, cherry, stewed fruits, and spice notes. On the bud, it’s rich with a long finish. Wish I had another bottle! — 4 months ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.5

Robust skin contact for weeks - array of rich mountain herbs, nuts, tannins. Not a wall flower! — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

1975 vintage. Decanted with oodles of sed. Ambitious, older Graves nose. Medium (still) bodied. Frontal and mid palates satisfied but finish/end palate hit a wall and flatlined. Still, fairly nice showing with a decent amount of fruit kicking about. 9.21.23. — 2 years ago