BILLECART SALMON BRUT ROSE 2010

This is the first ever straight vintage rosé from Billecart-Salmon and boy is it a knockout. If you are among the legions of fans of the non-vintage Billecart Salmon brut rosé, you owe it to yourself to give this a bottle a go. As fine as Billecart's regular rose is, this 2010 is simply in a different league and is more than worth the additional tariff. This is a meticulously curated cuvée composed of 55% Chardonnay from the Grand Crus of Chouilly, Mesnil and Cramant, and 45% Pinot Noir from Verzenay, Mareuil and Ludes. This blend is mixed with red Pinot Noir wine sourced from ancient vines from the Valleofois vineyard which is situated just next to the Clos des Goisses in Mareuil. Aged ten years on the lees, this Champagne sports an amber-pink robe and proffers effusive aromas of raspberries and white cherries mingled with background notes of pie crust and wet stones. The palate is silky with bright cherry and pomegranate fruit that is embellished with fascinating infections of tamarillo and sage. The finish is impressively long with a prominent chalky undercarriage that bespeaks its regal Côte des Blancs lineage.

WINEMAKERS NOTES: "A beautiful coppery pink hue with luminous reflections and a graceful effervescence. An intense aromatic burst of strawberry and raspberry jelly, candied melon and almond paste, followed by refreshing notes of lime, menthol and thyme.An ample and refined attack, followed by the freshness of red fruit jelly, grapefruit flesh, tangerine candies and a touch of pepper. A creamy and smooth mouthfeel evocative of vanilla, evolving towards a refreshing finish of pomegranate and cranberry notes. This Champagne will pair wonderfully with scallop or shrimp yakitoris, spring rolls and filet mignon in crust..."