By: AJ McClellan
Champagne was the word of the day yesterday. Goeffrey Loisel from the Billecart Salmon estate came in to taste our members on his lineup of grower Champagnes. Every bottle by Billecart was wonderful, it has been a long while since I have been this impressed by every wine in a producers portfolio! Each bottle was constructed with beautiful balance and a hint of elegance that is the tell tale sign of a quality wine.
1996 Nyetimber – This is a great bottle from England. The nose was very yeasty with notes of peach and lemon zest.
NV Gonet Medeville Rose – I love this wine. The nose shows notes of strawberry with a creamy palate and a lovely finish of limestone.
1988 Salon – Wow, this was a real treat. The wine was showing notes of honeydew, apricot, toast, and sourdough bread on the nose. The palate was fresh and lively with great acidity and a long mineral finish.
NV Billecart Salmon Brute Reserve – This wine surprised me, showing very fruit forward notes of cherry, meyer lemon, and strawberry. The palate was soft and showing light effervescence and creamy acidity.
2000 Nicolas Francois Billecart Salmon – A wonderful vintage Champagne showing big mineral notes and a lovely light pear filled pastry finish.
NV Billecart Salmon Rose – A very light Rose showing red cherries, raspberries, and soft luscious tannins backed by a zippy acidity.
2010 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay – I blinded this bottle as a very good Meursault. The nose was all toast and rich tropical fruit. The palate has a very nice medium acidity and long finish.
1978 Cheval Blanc – This Cheval Blanc was drinking much better than the last one we had. The wine was showing great notes of black cherry and cola with dark chocolate and luscious earth notes.