Vanessa

9.5

Prior notes continue to apply…

When we visited Billecart-Salmon in October of 2021, we received a tour of the stunning estate. Along the way, our guide, Jerome, paused near a traditional “Clos” (a single vineyard, enclosed by a wall) on the property. 

We could see a beautiful stone wall, surrounding a tiny 1 hectare parcel of “Clos Saint-Hilaire,” named after the Patron Saint & local church in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where Billecart-Salmon is located. 

Although we didn’t go into the Clos, we learned about how special this parcel is to the family; how it’s exclusively planted to Pinot Noir with vines dating back to 1964; how work in the vineyard is performed by hand and horse-drawn plows; how this parcel is farmed according to an age-old savoir-faire, adhering to principles of sustainable viticulture.

The wine is pale gold with a prominent bouquet of yellow apple, Anjou pear, raspberry, lemon curd, white peach, white blossom, desiccated white rose, wet stones, biscuit, brioche, almond paste, marzipan, crusty croissant, pie crust, toast, creamy texture and persistent, fine-beaded mousse and long elegant finish.

This is a 2005 “Blanc de Noirs” Champagne, comprised of 100% Pinot Noir, all coming from Le Clos Saint Hilaire, vinified entirely in oak casks to lend texture and body, and aged over 13 years sur lie prior to its recent release.  Due to the vineyard’s small size, production is very limited, and wine only produced in the best vintages.

Cheers to beautiful wines expressing a singularity of time and place!

Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire (2005).  — 3 months ago

with Deked1

Angie Heise

9.9

This is apple in a bottle! Very slight taste of cinnamon. This is an amazing wine! And the price is unbeatable! — 5 years ago

Hum

9.0

Currant candies, cherry pie, raspberry jam, rosewood, blood orange and beeswax. Warm and powerful for Willamette. A bit young and taut. Maybe in five years it will show what it can really do — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Woodcutter is entry level for Torbreck. For just under $20, a very good Shiraz for the money.

This is young and full throttle. Alcohol seems hotter than 15%. But their reds need time.

Lots of ripe; mulberries, blackberries to pie, gooseberries, black raspberries & dark candied black cherries. Anise into black licorice, sweet tarriness, black ground pepper, fresh tobacco, leather, barrel shavings, dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, dry crushed rocks, red flowers, lavender, violets, full round acidity and nicely balanced, big tensioned, well structured, lush, elegant, well polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and pleasant earthiness.

It needs to shed its baby fat. Let rest another 3-5 years before opening. In Australian Shiraz hard to beat at this price point. — 5 months ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.2

Wow! Very cool and fresh. The zin notes- grape, dried strawberry and tamarind, are presented in a lovely, cool frame. — 3 years ago

Justin Colby

9.3

Crisp pineapple, ripe honeydew, and a hint of peach on the nose. Medium mouthfeel, bright acidity, subtle capsicum, and a crisp, dry finish. Lingering floral notes in the aftertaste. Intriguing and satisfying. Delicious with roasted/broiled asparagus. — 5 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

I heard Bill Murray on a podcast recently raving about the bramble-berry pie he had the night before, describing the many berries that went into making it so delicious. It’s a fitting description for the current release of Bedrock’s Dolinsek Heritage red too, which is loaded with a rainbow of berry flavors and all their sweetness and bright acidity captured in a bottle instead of a crust. There’s an added bonus of a long, peppery finish thanks to the 70+% Zin in the field blend and some firm, drying tannins that signal a great future ahead. — 10 months ago

Nancy Janzen

10

First enjoyed with Dave Roesler at Luna in 2017 or 18. It was $70. Found it for $20 this winter of 2022 at Lazy Acres and shared with the Hidegs. Also amazing — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark purple color, opaque and heavy in the glass with a warm, inviting nose. Notes of mocha and unsweetened chocolate, black cherries and blueberries, some soil and some warm pie fruit. Fruit forward and silky in the mouth. Seductive. Well balanced. Has lot of everything going on, big and bold. — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

Consistent excellence. Pure gold in the glass with a creamy mousse and a ton of tiny, fine bubbles. On the intoxicating nose you’ll find some smoke, apple cider, and orange peel. Tasty honey and apricots make their presence known here. Just hints of the yeast and toasted nuts for now but will be more present as time goes on. Oak, dark fruit, and some really lively violets top this off.

So much richer and more voluptuous than most similar offerings, Bollinger always stands out from the pack. Quite the vivacious champagne, this is full of life and full of power. Muscular in nature but still has more than enough finesse with a velvety mouthfeel. The complexity and depth is definitely a step above, due to the amount of reserve wines used in the blend.

The palate pleases with chalk, apple pie, and lemon rind. More orange and the thought of warm biscuits to go with baking spices and pears. Long finish featuring spice and cream. How many other entry level bottles from the other big champagne houses can compare? Excellent champagne, a beautiful journey. — 5 years ago