Billecart-Salmon
Le Clos Saint-Hilaire Brut Blanc de Noirs
Champagne, France
The 2003 Le Clos Saint-Hilaire is a tiny release of just 1,000 bottles. A Champagne of substance and power, the Clos Saint-Hilaire shows the exoticness of the warm vintage and yet has a good deal of supporting energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. The breadth and texture of Pinot come through so well. Dosage is 3.5 grams per liter. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2021)
The 2003 Le Clos Saint-Hilaire is a tiny release of just 1,000 bottles. A Champagne of substance and power, the Clos Saint-Hilaire shows the exoticness of the warm vintage and yet has a good deal of supporting energy. I can't wait to see how it ages. The breadth and texture of Pinot come through so well. Dosage is 3.5 grams per liter. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2021)
Extremely orange, questionable cork. Shame.
Extremely orange, questionable cork. Shame.
Dec 16th, 2019
First vintage. One of the BEST Champagnes I have ever drank!
First vintage. One of the BEST Champagnes I have ever drank!
Nov 10th, 2019
Soft, supple and open. White flowers, peach, with some limestone and soft lemon. Very good
Soft, supple and open. White flowers, peach, with some limestone and soft lemon. Very good
Mar 13th, 2019
As we kept the Champagne evening going we shared this. Slight oxidized on the nose yet supremely balanced on the palate. Small bright bubble, nice acid on the back side. Nice feel on the palate-honey, fine roast coffee and street side hazelnut. Not an overpowering Champagne, shows grace and elegance.
As we kept the Champagne evening going we shared this. Slight oxidized on the nose yet supremely balanced on the palate. Small bright bubble, nice acid on the back side. Nice feel on the palate-honey, fine roast coffee and street side hazelnut. Not an overpowering Champagne, shows grace and elegance.
Nov 11th, 2018
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).
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).
One of the most pleasant surprises of the night, the 1996 Le Clos Saint Hilaire, is striking. Crushed flowers, mint, autumn leaves and sweet berries all lift from the glass. Sweet, pliant and generous, the 1996 shows exceptional balance and purity. I don’t see the 1996 as a super long-term ager, but it is fabulous today. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014)
One of the most pleasant surprises of the night, the 1996 Le Clos Saint Hilaire, is striking. Crushed flowers, mint, autumn leaves and sweet berries all lift from the glass. Sweet, pliant and generous, the 1996 shows exceptional balance and purity. I don’t see the 1996 as a super long-term ager, but it is fabulous today. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014)
The nose is incredibly rich, showing pear, ginger, roasted nuts, raw dough, dusty dried floral tones and the slightest hint of lime. On the palate, it displayed silky-soft textures with giving way to stone fruit and minerals up front, then to hints of citrus and a revitalizing note of acidity. Minerals resonated on the finish, along with hints of apple and pear. It truly makes its presence known.
The nose is incredibly rich, showing pear, ginger, roasted nuts, raw dough, dusty dried floral tones and the slightest hint of lime. On the palate, it displayed silky-soft textures with giving way to stone fruit and minerals up front, then to hints of citrus and a revitalizing note of acidity. Minerals resonated on the finish, along with hints of apple and pear. It truly makes its presence known.
1 person found it helpfulDec 24th, 2015
Gorgeous. Honey, mineral, so lovely.
Gorgeous. Honey, mineral, so lovely.
Dec 18th, 2015