Billecart-Salmon : Le Rosé

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The NV Rosé, base 2019, is bright, lifted and refreshing. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, white pepper and chalk are very nicely delineated. There's terrific depth and texture to fill out the soft, curvy contours. The 2019 base Rosé is fabulous. In fact, it is one of the best recent releases I can remember tasting. Dosage is 5.1 grams per liter. Disgorged: 3rd quarter 2022.

Soft redcurrant hue; the red-fruit character is discreet and delicate, pairing with aromas of orange peel and gently scented, colorful flowers. With striking cognitive salience, the palate unfolds a finely honed, incisive brilliance and flavors of cherry on the pit. Very refined.

Billecart-Salmon is one of my favorite Champagne houses, and their non-vintage Rosé (Lot #L85547401905M) is a consistent winner. A delicate pink color is accompanied by gorgeous sweet cherry, strawberry, and mineral-like scents, assertive medium-bodied flavors, a delicate, crisp personality, and surprising depth as well as persistence. A beautiful berry character on the finish adds to this impeccable rosé’s captivating style. Importer: Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 332-4999. Reviewed by RMP

Based on the 2020 vintage, Billecart-Salmon’s signature rosé appears to be in its finest form of recent years under cellar master Florent Nys, full of fragrant, crunchy redcurrant, red cherry and orange fruit with an alluring hibiscus-like floral lift and subtle green peppercorn spice. The Meunier wraps the intensity of the vintage base in a little softness that keeps the focus on effortless ease (helped by the selection of delicate Chardonnays and young, fresh reserve wines), all adding up to a rosé of immediacy and charm, sweet-natured without sweetness and fragrant without overt fruitiness. 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier.

A succulent, delicious and precise brut rosé, made of chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir. It has notes of wild currants, peach skin and mild spices. It’s medium-bodied and vivid with fine bubbles and plenty of succulence. Sour cherries and redcurrants on the palate. Fresh acidity and a comforting, fruity character to the delicious finish. Drink now.

Delicate salmon pink in colour. Open aromas of red berries, lemon, white flowers and subtle pomegranate mingle on the nose. It's positively austere on the palate, elegant with fine mousse, subtle texture and a chalky-salty impression. Finishes slightly salty, with berry and citrus notes.

Medium deep pink colour with a vivid young mousse. Elegant nose with a hint of red fruity raspberry notes and more chardonnay-driven, chalk, citrus, lemongrass and hazelnut. Medium weight with a bright freshness, a gentle autolytic fresh butter presence with discreet fruit flavours, mild creaminess and a fine length with a bone-dry and zesty finish.

Seven percent red wine was added to the blend to make the NV Champagne Brut Rosé, which is based on the 2020 harvest and is 45% Chardonnay, 25% Meunier, and the rest Pinot Noir, with about 45% reserve wine. A classic pale salmon hue, the nose is classic and pretty with notes of fresh peaches, raspberries, roses, and chalky earth. Medium-bodied and rounded, it’s approachable and fresh in style, with lovely purity and a pretty feel throughout. It’s delicious now but has the ability to age with ease over the coming 10 years. Disgorged in the first quarter of 2023, 4.7 grams per liter dosage (interestingly, they are now including the total grams per liter, in this case 5.3 grams per liter in the final wine).

Based on the 2019 vintage with 43% reserve wines from the previous 5 years, the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé NV is 43% Chardonnay, 33% old-vine Pinot Noir of which 7% is still wine for the blend, and 24% Pinot Meunier. Aromatically fresh and vibrant, with bright red berry, citrus peel, and verbena blossom notes leading into a somewhat savory and lean, light- to medium-bodied palate, with lively acidity coiling around oodles of citrus freshness and juicy raspberry notes, before concluding with hints of marmalade and honey on the finish. Beautiful and balanced, it leaves you thirsty for another glass. Lot: L84478

(40% Chardonnay, rosé d’assemblage, 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier. Base: 2012) The nose is elegant, aromatic/fruit-forward, refined, and offers a creamy sensation. It reveals notes of pastry cream, citrus (pink grapefruit), and a hint of lemon cream, along with very fine hints of mandarin, very discreet floral notes (in the background), and a subtle note of redcurrant and red fruits. The palate is fruity, elegant, and offers a certain creaminess, smoothness, delicacy, and a fruit-driven framework. The mousse is creamy, elegant, and delicate. On the palate, this Champagne expresses notes of pink grapefruit and, more slightly, lemon and white fruits, combined with discreet floral notes, fine touches of red fruits (notably raspberry), and a very discreet hint of lime. Good length.

A dry style of brut, emphasizing great fruitiness, and with a touch of bottle age, this Champagne is ready to drink. Citrus, red fruits and tight minerality from the 40% Chardonnay in the blend, offer a wine under tension and worth aging another year in bottle. Drink now or from 2023.