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  • Country ranking ?

    1 025
  • Producer ranking ?

    21
  • Decanting time

    15min
  • When to drink

    now to 2025
  • Food Pairing

    Seafood, Salads & Consommes

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

Family run since the 19th century, the Billecart Champagne house delivers large number of bottles which are always well made and of the highest quality.

This prestigious cuvée, created in 1964 as a homage to the founder of the Champagne house, is the result of an assembly which has remained unchanged since its creation. The vinification, partially in traditional barrels, asserts a well-rounded and generous character, favouring a subtle and natural elegance.

The graceful charm that endears Billecart is on full display in this calm, effortless and yet profoundly confident cuvée. Pinot noir assumes a glorious lead in a magnificent display of red berry and cherry fruits, seamlessly fused to the bright lemon and pink grapefruit cut of magnificent chardonnay acidity. The pronounced chalk minerality that shines so brightly in the graceful Billecart style surges long and strong through a finish of mesmerising persistence.

Formulation: 79% grand crus and 21% premier crus; 60% pinot noir from the premier and grand crus of the Montagne de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne, 40% chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs; 15% vinified in oak barrels; aged 10 years on lees; 6g/L dosage; cork.

 

• 60% Pinot Noir from the Premiers and Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne 

• 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs

  • • Dosage: 6 g/l
  • • 5% vinified in oak barrels
  • • Partial malolactic fermentation
  • • Ageing on lees: 10 years
  • • Available formats: bottle
  • • Ageing potential: more than 10 year

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Wine Information

My first experience with Maison Billecart-Salmon is still etched into my memory – that was over 25 years ago. A discovery for my senses, an encounter which has always been able evoke intensity and emotion. As such, with the Cuvée Nicolas François 2002, I was immediately captured by the quality of the wine and by its elegance. It is a delicately sensual cuvee with a discreet voluptuousness. It is distinguished by its crystalline elegance and its great finesse. I associate it with the elegance of a great and accomplished perfume. A beautiful and unique wine which stands the test of time without losing its divine singularity. For me, the ideal pairing with the Cuvée Nicolas François 2002 is a signature dish which is served on the restaurant menu: L’Opulante Pintade de Chalosse sur les Braises (an opulent braised Chalosse Guinea Fowl), accompanied by a lamb rice stuffing, morels, quenelles and truffles. A perfect pairing and a delicate moment to share with knowledgeable people who understand how to appreciate the finer things, with sensitive people who are open to beauty as the beauty is also in the taste! 

Michel Guérard, Chef at the Restaurant Les Prés d’Eugénie***, Eugénie-les-Bains

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Vintage 2002

A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.

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Tasting note

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Written Notes

Fresh yellow fruit nose with brioche, walnuts and citrus notes. Dry and crisp palate with refined smooth mousse. Lingering and energetic finish. Hold still well. Drink now-2028. – JL 94p (March 2024)

  • 94p

The 2002 Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is outrageously beautiful. The ripeness of the Chardonnay is front and center in a Champagne that delivers the goods, big-time. An infusion of apricot, orange peel, crème brûlée, chamomile, hazelnut and honey give the 2002 its racy, exotic personality. I enjoy it most with bottle age, but the 2002 is undeniably beautiful right now. The 2002 is a stunning NFB. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne and 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, done partially in oak (20%). Dosage is 4 grams per liter. 

  • 96p

Defined bubble stream. Medium gold, in color. Golden apples, golden pears, cherry, peach, citrus, brioche, mineral, chalk. Creamy texture, citrus peel, on a dark berry finish.

  • 94p

Tradition and modernity are both integral to the viniculture at Billecart-Salmon. The House of Billecart-Salmon endeavours to distance itself from passing fads, yet manages to stay in tune with modern tastes. Billecart-Salmon has always valued the appreciation and loyalty bestowed upon it's wines by great chefs, sommeliers, reviewers end ambassadors of Champagne. The exceptional Cuvee Nicolas Francois was created in 1964 as a tribute to the House's founder. It results from the blending of Grands crus from the classified Côte des Blancs Chardonnay vineyards and the Montagne de Reims Pinot Noir. Its vinification, partially in traditional casks, underpins the generous character of this elegant wine.


Lovely gold hue, slowly rising bubbles with a persistant string of pearl. The freshness of Cuvee Nicolas François Billecart develops all its aromatic complexity, aromas of white flowers mixed with subtle notes of brioche. The balance between richness and persistence is the hallmark of this accomplished wine. The perfect blend of grands crus from which it is made gives it a lovely freshness on the palate, developing a wide range of aromas.

  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne

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Demi-Sec

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Inside Information

Here we have a cuvée with great finesse and delicacy which is full to the brim with the elegance of the Champagne region. On the nose, you’re carefully lead towards aromas of Sicilian lemons, notes of honey, dried fruits and brioche which compliment an ultra-fine palate. This champagne has a never-ending finish of the highest distinction.

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