Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart Brut Champagne Blend 2002

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

Happy birthday Honey.

Shay A

Opened alongside a 2002 Piper Rare (winner), 2006 Piper Rare, 2006 Taittinger Comtes, 2007 Billecart Nicolas Francois, and 2012 Dom Perignon. As you can tell, this was opened in great company and showed very well. Profile wise, this was in between the Piper Rare (rich and layered but bright) and the Taittinger Comtes (a bit surprisingly the brightest and lightest of the group). Not as honeyed aromatically as the two Piper Rare offerings, but loads of white peach, grilled lemon, honey and orange roasted cashews and sea salt. This showed a kiss more depth than its 2007 sibling, with lemon scone, limestone and racy acidity. It certainly drinks younger than it is. Classically Billecart in its “down the middle” style. Never too much/little of anything. I wish I had another bottle to open in 5-7yrs, as this is aging glacially and beautifully.

"Odedi"

#AgedWineTuesday Golden in color. Nose of apples, yeast, spices, bread, minerals, salt water, citrus, limes, barnyard and earth. Medium plus in body with high acidity. Very dry on the palate with limes, lemons, green apples, earth, minerals, toast, wet leaves, herbs, vegetables, nuts, yeast, sea salt and white pepper. Crisp and refreshing. Yeasty and interesting. This is a nicely aged Champagne from a great vintage. Showing lots of complexity now. Feels very young for a 20 year old, and will continue to age nicely in the next decade. Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Enthusiasts 96 points. I had the Brut Reserve Non Vintage not too long ago, and I liked it better. Good by itself or with food. I paired it with fresh oysters. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged in 2015. 12.5% alcohol by volume. 91 points. $200.

Matt Perlman

Effortless elegance. Soft and powdery on the palate, pastry dough, crushed shell, lemon curd, white peaches. Crazy good

Jeff Collins

Owner Peabody's Wine & Beer Merchants and Benchmark Provisions

In magnum

Dr. Owen Bargreen

The 2002 Billecart-Salmon ‘"Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" Brut Champagne (WWB, 95) which has a massive mouthfeel and glorious texture right now. This vintage is just thrilling to enjoy right now, made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and resting for ten years on the lees. A bright beam of salinity falls over the limestone driven terroir, as Pink Lady Apple, kumquat zest and cinnamon infused sourdough bread flavors collide with minerals and the unctuous texture on the mouth. Generous, showing glorious length now at nearly the twenty year mark, this gorgeous bottling will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

Beautifully delicate and refined! Delicious

Mike R

Omg so good - really makes you smile - yesterday was actually my birthday so champagne has calories so all I could drink / damn diet haha

Mike R

OMG - and it was like the battery bunny - it kept getting better and better - prefect with super fresh oysters

Darren Guillaume

Simply fabulous. Brioche, with pear and green apple. Would be ideal with roasted chicken.