Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rosé 2009
A beloved, family-owned and managed house known for the purity and elegance of its style
Grape Makeup:
55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut
Ageing on Lees:
10 years
Price:
$$$
Cellar:
10+ years
Category:
Collectible
Photos
What
A beloved, family-owned and managed house known for the purity and elegance of its style, achieved through a unique cool settling and fermentation process that utilises oak barrels (and, increasingly, temperature controlled oak vats) and the most fastidiously hygienic cellars in Champagne, among other proprietary practices.
Where
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne; 100 hectares managed by them with access to 300 hectares in 40 crus (mainly near Épernay).
Why
This prestige rosé is one of the most refined in the region, made with a focus on acidity rather than ripeness and exclusively in stainless steel to retain the freshness of the fruit characters, as is always the goal of the house. It was first made in 1988 as an homage to co-founder Elisabeth Salmon.
What Else
Nicolas François, the white counterpart to Elisabeth, is a marvellous feat of balance between rich, almost exotic fruit and vertical acidity; the Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs has a similar tension but with more citrus-y, floral aromatics.
Tasting Notes
Very subtle on the nose to begin, this gradually loosens up, yielding pink currants, sweet Marron glacé and dried rose petals before becoming flinty and sharp once again. The pinot noir gives a mouth-filling, rounded middle with a soft belly, while delicate herbal tones and a fine, chalky texture on the back bring it to a satisfying close.
Try It With
Delicately flavoured but fatty meat dishes.
When To Drink
Main course or after dinner.
Perfect For
A beloved matriarch figure in your life whom you want to spoil.
Tatler Tip
"Beel-KAHR sahl-MOH" -- this is one instance where correct pronunciation generally pays off; "sahl-MOH" just sounds much better than "salmon," although Elisabeth was actually English so it presumably was pronounced that way.
TL/DR
Fine, sensuous rounded rosé.
Supplier
Liber Wines
