Hi-Time's 12 Champagnes of Christmas
Definitely one of the "wow releases" of the year, this magisterial cuvée, which was created in 1964 as tribute to the house's founder, is a blend of the firm's best terroirs from the Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir) and the Côte des Blancs vineyards (Chardonnay). Its vinification, partly in traditional oak casks, works well to underpin the intense fruit of this warm, outstanding vintage.
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "Billecart-Salmon’s 2012 Nicolas François marks the first release since 2008 and stands as another success. The fundamentals remain unchanged: settling and fermentation at low temperatures, a small proportion vinified in oak barrels and partial malolactic fermentation (20% was blocked in 2012). This vintage was characterized by a prolonged flowering period, significant rainfall and mildew pressure, resulting in a small crop. The harvest of fruit, which contributed to this cuvée, took place between September 17 and 22. "It was crucial to select only the ripest fruit, as maturation varied significantly between plots," explains Billecart’s head winemaker, Florent Nys. But what of the wine itself? Disgorged in May 2023 with a dosage of 3.8 grams per liter, it exudes aromas of candied lemon, honeysuckle and ripe peach, mingling with nuances of beeswax and orange zest. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, boasting a layered, concentrated core, a chalky structure and mouthwatering acidity, despite the warm vintage. It concludes with a persistent, saline finish, hinting at the savory complexity that has emerged with such notable bottle age. Compared to the 2008, which remains tightly coiled, the 2012 is broader-shouldered and more demonstrative."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Sleek and harmonious, with chiseled acidity and a satinlike mousse supporting a fine weave of poached apricot and cherry fruit, pickled ginger, pastry and Macadamia nut flavors. Long and mouthwatering, with a clean sweep of salty minerality driving the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged Spring-Summer 2023. Drink now through 2037."
The 2012 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows all the natural radiance of the year. There's gorgeous resonance and texture here. Apricot, spice, tangerine oil and lightly honeyed notes infuse the palate with notable depth and persistence. This rich, expansive Champage has a ton to offer. This release was disgorged nearly two years ago, which also adds to its complexity...The significant increase in quality at Billecart-Salmon is no longer news, but it’s still worth mentioning. Quite simply, the Champagnes here have never been better.
• 100% grands crus and premiers crus
•60% of Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Aÿ and Verzenay)
•40% of Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs (Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly, Avize)
• 10% wines vinified in oak casks
• Ageing on lees, on average: 120 months
• Dosage: 3.8g/
Definitely one of the "wow releases" of the year, this magisterial cuvée, which was created in 1964 as tribute to the house's founder, is a blend of the firm's best terroirs from the Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir) and the Côte des Blancs vineyards (Chardonnay). Its vinification, partly in traditional oak casks, works well to underpin the intense fruit of this warm, outstanding vintage.
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "Billecart-Salmon’s 2012 Nicolas François marks the first release since 2008 and stands as another success. The fundamentals remain unchanged: settling and fermentation at low temperatures, a small proportion vinified in oak barrels and partial malolactic fermentation (20% was blocked in 2012). This vintage was characterized by a prolonged flowering period, significant rainfall and mildew pressure, resulting in a small crop. The harvest of fruit, which contributed to this cuvée, took place between September 17 and 22. "It was crucial to select only the ripest fruit, as maturation varied significantly between plots," explains Billecart’s head winemaker, Florent Nys. But what of the wine itself? Disgorged in May 2023 with a dosage of 3.8 grams per liter, it exudes aromas of candied lemon, honeysuckle and ripe peach, mingling with nuances of beeswax and orange zest. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, boasting a layered, concentrated core, a chalky structure and mouthwatering acidity, despite the warm vintage. It concludes with a persistent, saline finish, hinting at the savory complexity that has emerged with such notable bottle age. Compared to the 2008, which remains tightly coiled, the 2012 is broader-shouldered and more demonstrative."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Sleek and harmonious, with chiseled acidity and a satinlike mousse supporting a fine weave of poached apricot and cherry fruit, pickled ginger, pastry and Macadamia nut flavors. Long and mouthwatering, with a clean sweep of salty minerality driving the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged Spring-Summer 2023. Drink now through 2037."
The 2012 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows all the natural radiance of the year. There's gorgeous resonance and texture here. Apricot, spice, tangerine oil and lightly honeyed notes infuse the palate with notable depth and persistence. This rich, expansive Champage has a ton to offer. This release was disgorged nearly two years ago, which also adds to its complexity...The significant increase in quality at Billecart-Salmon is no longer news, but it’s still worth mentioning. Quite simply, the Champagnes here have never been better.
• 100% grands crus and premiers crus
•60% of Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Aÿ and Verzenay)
•40% of Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs (Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly, Avize)
• 10% wines vinified in oak casks
• Ageing on lees, on average: 120 months
• Dosage: 3.8g/
