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 of the 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 170 months (more than 14 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).  — 5 hours ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

From 100% Wente clones that get max hang time, large and tiny berries packed together, pale lemon with subtle aromas of citrus and stone fruits. On the palate flavors of apple, lemon and lime flavors, crisp acidity, long finish ending with rich mineral character. Perfect now! — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Sourced from over 70 tiny parcels of old-vine, head-pruned Tempranillo blended with a small percentage of Graciano, aged 15 months in French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe plum with notes of vanilla, spice, tobacco and floral herbs. Fine firm tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and earthy character. Very nice! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. 100% Chardonnay pale straw color with aromas of stone fruits, floral and citrus notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, peach and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a long finish ending with a yeasty creamy character. Nice! — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Pale lemon in color.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and tiny bubbles.

Dry on the palate and elegant.

Showing limes, grapefruits, yeast, spices, brioche, minerals, light earth, sea salt and herbs.

Tangy long finish with limes and light almonds.

This is a delicious Non Vintage Champagne. Showing a great mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points. Robert Parker 91 points. Wine Spectator 91 points.

Good right out of the bottle and better with some air time.

Nicely balanced and rich. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

12% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — a year ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.2

Killer. Tiny bit of va. Reminds us a lot of Cobb stuff. — 5 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.4

Great balance. Subtle apple on the palate. Tiny bubbles as you would expect in a premium champagne. December 2024. — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Wow. The nose is neutral. OMG that palate is decadent and severely structured and the most velvety tannins that are squeezing out unreal tiny fruit intensity. This is the most epic Pinot in Oregon. This is a french Grand Cru wine being made in Oregon. Unreal structure, high acid, Inner mouth aromas. Judgement deferred. 9.6 based on past notes. I will follow this over the next few days. After 7 hours nose is more decadent but still not yielding what it can. This will be better tomorrow. Lovely spice but I know what this wine can be. The texture on the palate though is really coming through. Juicy and supple but still clipped finish. But long. 9.6 to 9.7. but I can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s so juicy and so layered. Impressive. Palate is so supple and dense on day 2. Unreal tannins, depth, sweetness and power. 9.7 to 9.8. — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.3

These champagnes from Bertrand Lilbert are something special. Soft and expressive with terrific energy.

Medium pale yellow with tiny, active bubbles and intense effervescence. The aromas on the nose begin somewhat discreetly but after a little time in the glass that innate mineral nature shines through. Delicate white flowers and fresh biscuits. Herbs and lime with bright citrus notes. Lemons and wet stones show up along with the slightest touch of vanilla.

Lilbert produces only three champagnes, all of them Blanc de Blancs, primarily from the Grand Cru village of Cramant. This is based on the 2016 vintage with half of the blend coming from reserve wines. The acidity, while racy, is easy and comfortable. Less focused on power and more on elegance, this is an absolute gem of a BdB. Very precise and hyper focused.

The attack is vivacious and intense. Just oh so very lovely and deep. So generous and inviting after plenty of time in the glass. Nice salinity and minerality. Lemons and limes with pineapples and an exquisite streak of honey. Apple and brioche notes and a long, eloquent finish. A real deal true superstar of a champagne. — 3 years ago