Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François 2007

98 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2021 in Australia; 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; 79% grand crus and 21% premier crus; 15% vinified in oak barrels; partial malolactic fermentation; aged 10 years on lees; 6g/L dosage; cork). 2007 will forever lurk in the shadow of 2008, yet for those houses who were particularly attentive to fruit selection, this was the finest vintage since 2004. 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, gliding with jetfighter precision, without dropping its altitude for minutes. Even at 14 years of age, it upholds profound primary purity, promising a very long life indeed. This is signature Billecart of detail and distinction, a cuvée more than worthy of the legendary lineage that is Nicolas François, utterly transcending its variable season. It stands alongside Taittinger Comtes and Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé as the finest expressions of 2007 to date. (Edition VII; 2024)"

98 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Pale golden yellow, silver reflections, delicate, fine mousse. Delicate orange zest, fine yellow fruit of apple and mango, a touch of biscuit and blossom honey, a hint of caramel. Juicy, elegant, white peach, fresh acid structure, sticks very well, a breath of pineapple in the back taste, mineral, gently chalky, lime in the echo, equipped with very good maturity and certain ageing potential. (11/26/21)"

97 points Roger Voss (Wine Enthusiast): "This beautiful Champagne is amazingly at its peak. Not too mature, not too young, the wine is in fine balance, showing some nervy edge as well as touches of toast. With a small amount of wood vinification, the wine has an extra fullness. Drink through 2025. (Dec 2021)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged with six grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing very nicely, offering up aromas of fresh bread, citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, verbena, macadamia nut and hints of biscuity complexity to come. Full-bodied, chiseled but fleshy, its vinous core of fruit cloaks the vintage's brisk acids to achieve real plenitude in a year that's sometimes rather tautly austere. Long and penetrating and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse, this is a real success. Drink: 2021-2041. (9/23/21)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is positively stellar. Elegant, polished and sophisticated, the 2007 dazzles with effusive aromatics and gorgeous balance. It's not an obvious wine, though, but rather a Champagne built for long, patient cellaring. The 2007 is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay taken from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots and Chouilly, Avize, Cramant and Mesnil for the Chardonnays. In other words, as good as it gets for villages. The wine was done mostly in tank with about 15% of the lots vinified in oak. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Drink: 2027-2047. (Mar 2021)"

97 points James Suckling: "This is a laser-guided Champagne with fabulous energy and intensity with a tight palate, racy acidity and super fine phenolics. It goes on and on. Fine bubbles. Light pine and praline character. One for the cellar. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. Disgorged 19 July, 2020. Wonderful now, but needs time to come together. Better from 2024 onwards. (12/22/20)"