Billecart-SalmonElisabethSalmonRose2008

Champagne Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 following the marriage of Nicolas-François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. Located in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ near Épernay, the House remains family-owned, today led by seventh-generation Mathieu Roland-Billecart.rrChef de Cave François Domi retired in 2016 after 30 years, succeeded by Florent Nys, who joined in 2005. Vineyard management is overseen by Denis Blée. Together with sixth-generation François Roland-Billecart and Antoine Roland-Billecart, they form part of the seven-member tasting committee guiding the House style.rrIn the 1950s, Jean Roland-Billecart pioneered low-temperature fermentation in stainless steel â€?now a hallmark preserving fruit freshness. Today, wines are fermented in stainless steel, temperature-controlled large oak casks, small oak barrels, or a combination, depending on the cuvée.rrBy 2020, production drew on 300 hectares: 100 hectares estate-owned and certified organic in 2025; 100 hectares under contract (herbicides and chemical fertilisers eliminated in 2019); and 100 hectares from grower partners. The vineyards span 40 crus, mostly within 20 km of the winery. In 2017, the House achieved High Environmental Value certification.rBillecart-Salmon’s exceptional prestige cuvée rosé was created in 1988 as a tribute to the House’s co-founder. Less than 10% of the Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine. The grapes used to make the red wine are from Valofroy, a plot of old vines on the slopes of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ with a southern exposure. Billecart-Salmon Elisabeth Salmon Rosé is not always released in chronological order, but rather when head winemaker François Domi believes it is ready for release.rrWeather: 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies â€?an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Spring and summerrought the same lack of sunlight and absence of high temperatures. It was September that saved the vintage, belatedly and miraculously. Just when the harvest was getting underway (on September 15), the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. Picking was spread out over a long period in order to benefit from this positive turn of events. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Pinot Noir: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne | Chardonnay: Côte des Blancs | Red Wine: ValofroyrGrape Varieties: 45%Chardonnay, 55% Pinot Noir | inc. 9% Red WinerFermentation: 17% fermented in older small oak barrelsrAgeing: 10 years on the leesrDosage: 7 g/lrDisgorged: June 2019rDrink: Now to 2035+rrTasting Note: A luminous visual presence with soft shimmering coppery reflections and a deep salmon pink hue. Aromatics of refreshing citrus peels and red berry jelly. Beautifully refined and mature olfactory notes, releasing a distinctive perfume of scented soft spices and wild rasberry pulp.On the palate , flavors of tangerine, blood orange and apple tart. A fullbodied mouthfeel, evoilving towards a chalky edge and a lingering finish of citron zest and red and white currants. rrWatch Essi Avellan MW & Nick’s video tasting review of this champagne here.