Billecart-Salmon Vintage Rose 2015 750ml

This 2015 was part of the sourcing program that goes into Cuvee Elizabeth. To hear the current generation tell it, one member of the tasting panel disagreed with the other members so this was ‘declassifieid.’ It is made up of 52% Chardonnay [Chouilly, Avize, and Cramant] and 48% Pinot Noir [Ambonnay, Verzenay, Verzy, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ]. Of the Pinot Noir, 6.6% is a still red made from Billecart's home village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, from 50-80 year old vines. Overall, three percent of the wines are vinified in oak casks, and after ageing on the lees for 98 months, it was disgorged with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter.

This opens with a delicate yet precise nose of cream, light spice, just there barrel, a bit of strawberry and blood orange. The palate is light yet present with a good sense of texture and acidity with cream, blood orange and strawberry predominating. This is well done and a tremendous value for vintage Rose from Billecart Salmon. -MK D&M