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Wine Description
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
Vintage 1997
A cold winter was followed by significant spring frosts. The early summer was warm, but cool weather and rain persisted throughout the flowering period. Summer ended with warm temperatures, lending some hot-year characteristics to the year's wines even if acidity remained high at 8.5 g/l. Rot played a role in some vineyards. A small harvest (9,402 kg/ha) was picked from September 12th onwards. The 1997 vintage was rather overlooked, following the successful 1995 and 1996 vintages, and many did not produce a vintage even though the year was not particularly weak. Despite the warmth of the year the best wines have sufficient acidic backbone, but many lack intensity and harmony. Most Champagnes are quite developed already, showing no sign of further potential. Its highlights included Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rosé, Philipponnat Clos des Goisses, Louis Roederer Cristal and Salon Le Mesnil.