Founded in 1818 with the marriage of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, Billecart-Salmon is one of the few Champagne houses to remain family owned. Today the estate works some 30 hectares itself and is supplied by grapes from a total area of 140 hectares in 35 individual crus. 95% of the grapes come from a radius of 20 kilometers around the town of Epernay.
Pinot Noir: Debuting in the 1995 vintage, Le Clos Saint-Hilaire comes from a walled 1 hectare vineyard planted entirely with Pinot Noir vines. The old vines and the magic of the soil combine to create an extremely complex and rare Champagne.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir: First created in the 1982, Billecart-Salmon Grande Cuvée comes from the finest grand cru sites. The Champagne spends 10 years in the house's cellar before release onto the market. An extremely complex sparkling wine, Billecart-Salmon 1996 Grande Cuvée should certainly be included in any Champagne-lover's cellar. Richard Juhlin 96 pts
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay: Created in 1988 as a tribute to the house's co-founder Elisabeth Salmon. A small portion of Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Ay vinified as red wine is added to the white wine for color, body, and taste. This rosé can certainly be laid down for another 10-15 years.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier: The blend for the NV Reserve has remained unchanged since 1945: grapes from three different years - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier from the best sites of the Marne.
Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir: The Brut Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir vinfied as white wine with a small percentage of Pinot Noir vinfied as red wine. A pale pink color with a delicate bouquet of red fruits and long, fresh finish, the NV Rosé is considered one of the premier rosé Champagnes produced.
Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir: The Brut Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir vinfied as white wine with a small percentage of Pinot Noir vinfied as red wine. A pale pink color with a delicate bouquet of red fruits and long, fresh finish, the NV Rosé is considered one of the premier rosé Champagnes produced.
