Billecart Salmon Brut Rose NV [1.5 L Magnum]
(Champagne, France) - [JD 93] [JS 93] [WS 92] [VM 92] [WA 92] [WE 91]

About the Winery: 
The Billecart family has been living in Mareuil-sur-Ay since the 16th century. When Nicolas Francois Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon in the early 1800s, the two families' long held vineyards were married as well. This led to Nicolas' decision to leave his law practice and take over the family wine estate. In 1818 he founded the house of Billecart-Salmon which now stands as the oldest continuously family owned and operated house in Champagne. It is currently managed by the seventh generation, Mathieu Roland-Billecart. The cellars are in the hands of "chef de cave" Florent Nys, who has worked under previous chef de cave Francois Domi since 2005.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Billecart-Salmon is their philosophy that an early harvest yields more elegant and delicate champagnes. They look for a strong acid structure rather than alcohol as a preservative and therefore, never harvest at higher than 10 degrees of potential alcohol.

Notes from the Winemaker:
The production secrets and the vinification method of this cuvee go back to the origins of the House of Billecart-Salmon and have been handed down for seven generations. The Brut Rose is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vinified as red wine.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Seven percent red wine 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 pink 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 (although interestingly, they are now including the total grams per liter, in this case 5.3 grams per liter in the final wine)." - Audrey Frick (Dec 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"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." (Jul 2024)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A seamlessly knit rosé Champagne, integrating a vivid backbone of acidity and a lightly chalky underpinning with the fine, detailed perlage. Offers notes of nectarine, white cherry, toast point and orchard blossom. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged fall 2023 (My Origin 201281). Drink now." - Alison Napjus (Nov 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The NV Rosé, based 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." - Antonio Galloni (Nov 2023)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Aromas of rose, peony, red berries and guava preface the NV Brut Rosé, a medium to full-bodied, elegant and vinous Champagne rosé that concludes with a long, ethereal finish enhanced by menthol notes. A blend of 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, it's based on the 2014 vintage with 46% vins de réserve from nine different vintages and the addition of 6% as a red wine, vinified and matured in stainless steel. Dosage: 4.7 grams per liter." - Yohan Castaing (Oct 2024)

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"A floral aroma and rich citrus and raspberry flavors mark this full-bodied rosé Champagne. Its crispness comes from the taut minerality and lemon acidity at the end. Drink now." – Roger Voss (Dec 2024)