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

Marcy R

9.3

At lunch- recommended by guide. Restaurant 36 in Hautevillers — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have been fairly critical of the 2010 Napa Cabernet vintage. This 2010 World’s End is one of the Napa producers that breaks with the many others I’ve had that were leaner, lacked structure, tannins & complexity.

This wine was just under $45 when I bought it upon release. Tonight, it is far out delivering that price point. In fact, as good as it is with tri-tip tonight, I wouldn’t open my next bottle for five more years.

The nose shows; some smoke & char, ruby, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, candied/ruby, candied, perfumed, brilliantly, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plums, plums, blueberries, sour strawberries & raspberries. Dark berry, liqueured cola, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, steeped, black fruit tea, mellow, dark spices, dry crushed rocks, clay, dry, top soil, mint/eucalyptus, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, tobacco, dry leather, graphite, bright limestone with fresh & just withering/candied; dark, purple, black, red, blue florals framed in violets and lavender.

The body is; full, ripe, lush & juicy. The palate guide is that of a very well made & expensive Cabernet. Tannins are; dark, tarry, chewy, sweet with baby to adolescent teeth. This 2010 has 15-20 years of good drinking ahead with proper storage. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting their singing lessons. It is very Bordeaux like; moist, forest floor with dry leaves, truffles, mushrooms, candied/ruby, candied, perfumed, brilliantly, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plums, plums, blueberries, sour strawberries & raspberries. Dark berry, liqueured cola, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, steeped, black fruit tea, mellow, very, dark Indian & Asian spices with just the right amount of palate heat, saline, smoke & char, black, cracked, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, clay, dry, top soil, dry, river stones, mint/eucalyptus, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, tobacco, dry leather, graphite, bright limestone with fresh & just withering/candied; dark, purple, red, blue florals framed in violets and lavender. The acidy is good to very good but, could be a little better. However, it does hold the alcohol level just in check. The long, complex finish is; ripe, well balanced fruit & earth, nicely knitted & balance which; slides into earthy, dark spicy, dry, dusty, tarry tannins on the long set that persist for several minutes.

Still needed a two to three hour decant.

One of the more complex wines I’ve had in some time.

Cuvée note, “If 6 Was 9" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded on his Jimi Hendrix Experience LP in 1967.

Photos of; World’s End Winery, staff at the sorting table, the famous & picturesque Napa Valley sign and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See 3 previous notes for the 2008 vintage (and one for the 2009). This was my final 2008 sadly. Without mincing words, this is one of my favourite Australian reds, and has been for a long time. Trademark white pepper, spice and liquorice. The plums and blackberry of its youth are now more savoury in style. Just a stunning wine which could compete with any top grade Cote Rotie. Unfortunately the price now reflects the high quality. In the Good Wine Guide of 2011 this was voted Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year. Nick Stock - 98 points. — 5 months ago

Ivor

9.3

Margaux perfume with underneath the red fruits; wood fire, rose petals, iron and cigar box. Palate of summer forest floor, black tea, rosehip, prunes and dried strawberries. Gently drying tannines guide you to a smooth long finish. A lovely wine. — 2 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.0

https://www.winemag.com/2021/02/22/special-club-champagne-guide/ Special Club champagnes are a small group of champagne houses actually called Club de Trésors. The article above explains a lot. This is an appley citrusy delicious version that needs more time. — 3 years ago

Laura Gillette

9.4

Great celebratory wine, for my friend Jules’ birthday. Earthy, pepper on the nose, deep cherry with cassia. — 8 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2006 Lafleur is a vintage that I have not encountered for a little while. It is similar to how it tasted at a decade old with wild strawberry, blackberry and hints of cooked meat on the nose, still pretty backward and needing time to meld fully. The palate is medium-bodied with still a slightly coarse entry that I don't think would be accepted by Baptiste Guinaudeau today, slightly tarry toward a dense and somewhat muscular finish. Maybe it's just missing Lafleur's usual charm? Yet it's still an impressive Pomerol that requires more cellaring. Tasted at 67 Pall Mall for The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide dinner. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 2 years ago

Ciulli

9.5

Un très bon blanc, idéal apéritif
Trouvé chez Monoprix. Conseillé par guide Hachette — 2 years ago

Will Rogers

9.2

Very good Cabernet — 4 years ago