France

Aperitif/avec

Shellfish

Fish

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Billecart-Salmon

Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rose

Champagne

Champagne, rose

Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon: A lovely lady on the rise

House: Billecart-Salmon (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ)
Bottle: Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rosé Millesimé 2008
Grapes: 55 % Pinot Noir, 45 % Chardonnay
Dosage: 7 g/L (Brut)

I were very keen to try the counterpart to a certain Mr Nicolas Francois from 2002, which to date is one of my best champagne experiences. While co-founder Ms Salmon certainly gave Mr Francois a run for his money, she is still young with much yet undeveloped potential. We will wait patiently!

The Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon was first released with the 1988 vintage paying tribute to the co-founder and wife of Nicolas Francois Billecart. The champagne power-couple’s family has managed to keep the house on family hands ever since its foundation in 1818 (from 2019 in 7th gen.).

The bottle has many interesting features. It has matured 10 years on the lees before disgorgement in 2019, after which it was kept another two years before its release. A very nice, acute touch. It is vinified as assemblage with 9 % red wine made only from the single parcel Valofroy, and 17 % of the wine has matured on oak barrels giving it a subtle extra layer of complexity for a rosé. 

Characteristics: 

On the nose, it was a little quiet in the beginning, but after breathing for a short while it opened for a seductive basket of red, matured berries such as wild strawberries and cherries. The soft nose was accompanied by a delicate and appropriate salmon colour. The most interesting note was Apfelstrudel – a buttery apple pie. 

On the palate, it does show the Billecart freshness signature but nicely balanced with some depth and gravity from the oak. Of notes it delivers once again strawberries and cherries as well as blood orange, wild herbs and a twist of chalky sensation. The assemblage with the red wine is executed remarkably well without any off-taste from the red wine. 

This wine will be good on many occasions.

Value for money: 7 of 10
Rating: 92 (95)🍾


Expert

Modne raude eple, masse små boble, veldig creamy. Sitte lenge, veldig konsentrert. Ganske mørk på farge, høg syre. Fantastisk rosé champagne

Amatør

Syrlige juicy markjordbær, aprikos, lette friske bringebær, saftige rips, nærmest over mot det smørere floralske tonene.

De friske markjordbærene følger på smak. Utrolig frisk og juicy. Lekker syre, myk utgang, med nydelige bobler. Veldig godt integrert. Creamy rød frukt. 

This is one of my favorites among Rose Champagnes. But I'm a bit uncertain about this vintage since I recently had a very weak bottle. It was therefore exciting to take one up from my cellar. 

The nose is slightly fruity with red apples. The autolysis is clean and elegant with bread dough and black tea. However, It lacks some intensity. 

The palate is medium-bodied, slightly fruity and acidic in a fine balance. The finish is medium long and acidic. 

There are no direct faults, and it is better than the previous bottle, but it lacks a lot compared to, for example, the 2002 and 2007 vintages. 2006 is probably not a top vintage for this Cuvée. It is still a very nice wine.

Category	Sparkling wine
Vinmonopolet no.	13462201
Producer	Billecart-Salmon
Vintages	2008
Country	France, Champagne
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	12.5 %
Acid	6 %
Sugar	5 g/l

Packaging	Glass
Cork type	Naturkork
Selection	Bestillingsutvalget
Wholesaler	Moestue Grape Selections AS
Carrier	Skanlog AS