2000 Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Vintage Champagne

This exceptional cuvee has been crafted since 1964 as a tribute to Nicolas Francois Billecart, founder of the house. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are selected in the Grands Cru communes of the Cote des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, with some of the base wine fermented in traditional Piece Champenoise (205 L) barrels.

This superb Champagne from another of our favourite houses opens with a white frothy mousse and shows excellent hold. Once dissipated, the pale gold straw coloured base wine emerges with exceptionally fine and profuse bead showing terrific persistence. The nose delivers a superb Champagne sniff with complex notes of baked bread, yeast lees, some toasty characters, a touch of citrus and some roasted almond end notes. On the palate yeast lees, toast, biscuit and a hint of citrus merge with some roasted nuttiness and a faint touch of dried honey. Creamy texture with a clean dry finish. Long aftertaste of yeast lees, baked bread, toast and roasted nuts.
Drink over the next 4-5 years (2012-2017).
Alc 12.0%