The first release of this wine was in 2010, and like this 2015 vintage, it was actually a declassified version of the famed Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé. Basically, it has all the same sourcing, aging, and rarity of the Elisabeth Salmon, but didn’t have quite the same aging potential, so they bottled it as a vintage rosé instead and slashed the price as a result. But don’t think for a minute you’re getting anything second-rate here – with 8 years on the lees, plus the outrageously fabulous 2015 growing season backing it, the value for quality here is wildly immense! 

With more than 200 years of innovation and quality, Champagne Billecart-Salmon has the remarkable privilege of working with some of the best fruit anywhere in Champagne. This is a family-run empire that has survived and thrived for seven generations, over two centuries, in the heart of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. They own 100 hectares of their own grapes, and contract out with some of the greatest growers for another 300 hectares – all spread across 40 Grand Cru sites throughout the Champagne region. Their vintage cuvees get the choice picks of the top lots, and this supreme Rosé bottling is selected and crafted from the very best of the best terroirs of Champagne with a cepage of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir.

Its delicate, copper-pink color greets the eye initially, with soft salmon sparkles. The nose is full of ripe red cherry and currant, with an undertone of orange marmalade and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is immediately structured and powerful, pulling the acid profile and fruit profile together seamlessly. This is effortlessly elegant, with a mineral thread that elevates the whole thing, as well as delightful notes of peach pie, juicy mandarin, coffee, shaved almond, baked apple, pickled ginger, and even a hint of jalapeno. A spectacularly worthy example of the best of the best for Billecart-Salmon, and one we expect won’t last long! Don’t miss out on this fresh, vibrant, exuberant, devastatingly limited Champagne!