Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne Sous Bois NV 1.5L

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
WE 95
JS 94
W&S 93
WS 93
TCG 92
EA 92
12.0% ABV
Item # 337735

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$174.95

1.5L
In stock 6 Available
95 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$90 list] Fermented in wood with a touch of spice and toast on the palate, this Champagne is beautifully textured and structured. The Chardonnay gives the wine a steely edge that suggests the bottling could age, so wait to drink this very fine wine from 2023. Alcohol 12%. (Nov 2022)"

94 points James Suckling: "Attractive and complex nose of salted almonds, apricots, figs, raspberries and white chocolate. Tangy green apples, too. Fine bubbles here, with vibrant acidity and sleek, integrated layers. Dry and rich yet all in balance. Equal parts chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier, with about 30% reserve wines. Aged six years on lees. Drink now. (3/6/23)"

93 points Wine & Spirits: "This is equal parts chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, pinot noir from Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and pinot meunier from the Marne Valley, all fermented and aged in oak casks, without undergoing malolactic conversion. One-third of the blend is reserve wines, married over the course of six years on the lees in bottle. The latest release buzzes with limestone freshness and the pale herbal richness of chamomile flowers. A stylish blend with earthiness that powers through it. (2022)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Flavors of baked pineapple, chopped black cherry, grilled nut and pickled ginger expand on the palate of this expressive Champagne backed by a firm spine of integrated acidity. Fine like raw silk on the palate, and the lightly mouthwatering finish carries accents of lime blossom, chalk and oyster shell. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2026. (11/15/21)"

92 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2011 base vintage; 33% premier and grand cru chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, 33% premier and grand cru pinot from the Montagne de Reims, especially Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 33% meunier from the right bank of the Vallée de la Marne; 30–35% reserves; vinified and aged in oak casks at low temperature; partial malolactic fermentation; aged 6–7 years on lees; 7g/L dosage). Sous bois is literally ‘under wood’, inspired by oak-fermented parcels destined for Billecart’s top cuvées. Its aspiration is to uphold the mandate of Billecart in freshness, tightness and elegance. The savoury grip of 2011 is well massaged by the generous richness of the style, and oak fermentation is unashamedly the lead act here. Idealistically, method should never trump terroir or season, but when vintage presents so little worthy of showcasing, this is the ideal. An epic, swirling current of impressive magnitude and richness sweeps up deep strokes of caramel, honey, crème brûlée and roast nuts, all holding long on the finish amidst impressive line of tangy lemon juice acidity and fine chalk minerality. It’s silky, creamy, buttery and unashamedly bold, a sure victory for a dismal season. (2020-2021)"

92 points Essi Avellan, MW: "34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier. On the nose, there is a soft, vanilla-laden depth of notable oakiness as a result of all the base wines being vinified and aged in oak. It is unapologetically pronounced and graciously free of any oxidative tones. The bold richness continues on the palate, which comes with an accentuated acidity that beautifully cuts the power of the wine and brings liveliness. Full of fruit and flavour, this is a beautiful assemblage of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. This will take age, too. Dosage 7g/l. (Aug 2022)"
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95 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$90 list] Fermented in wood with a touch of spice and toast on the palate, this Champagne is beautifully textured and structured. The Chardonnay gives the wine a steely edge that suggests the bottling could age, so wait to drink this very fine wine from 2023. Alcohol 12%. (Nov 2022)"

94 points James Suckling: "Attractive and complex nose of salted almonds, apricots, figs, raspberries and white chocolate. Tangy green apples, too. Fine bubbles here, with vibrant acidity and sleek, integrated layers. Dry and rich yet all in balance. Equal parts chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier, with about 30% reserve wines. Aged six years on lees. Drink now. (3/6/23)"

93 points Wine & Spirits: "This is equal parts chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, pinot noir from Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and pinot meunier from the Marne Valley, all fermented and aged in oak casks, without undergoing malolactic conversion. One-third of the blend is reserve wines, married over the course of six years on the lees in bottle. The latest release buzzes with limestone freshness and the pale herbal richness of chamomile flowers. A stylish blend with earthiness that powers through it. (2022)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Flavors of baked pineapple, chopped black cherry, grilled nut and pickled ginger expand on the palate of this expressive Champagne backed by a firm spine of integrated acidity. Fine like raw silk on the palate, and the lightly mouthwatering finish carries accents of lime blossom, chalk and oyster shell. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2026. (11/15/21)"

92 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2011 base vintage; 33% premier and grand cru chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, 33% premier and grand cru pinot from the Montagne de Reims, especially Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 33% meunier from the right bank of the Vallée de la Marne; 30–35% reserves; vinified and aged in oak casks at low temperature; partial malolactic fermentation; aged 6–7 years on lees; 7g/L dosage). Sous bois is literally ‘under wood’, inspired by oak-fermented parcels destined for Billecart’s top cuvées. Its aspiration is to uphold the mandate of Billecart in freshness, tightness and elegance. The savoury grip of 2011 is well massaged by the generous richness of the style, and oak fermentation is unashamedly the lead act here. Idealistically, method should never trump terroir or season, but when vintage presents so little worthy of showcasing, this is the ideal. An epic, swirling current of impressive magnitude and richness sweeps up deep strokes of caramel, honey, crème brûlée and roast nuts, all holding long on the finish amidst impressive line of tangy lemon juice acidity and fine chalk minerality. It’s silky, creamy, buttery and unashamedly bold, a sure victory for a dismal season. (2020-2021)"

92 points Essi Avellan, MW: "34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier. On the nose, there is a soft, vanilla-laden depth of notable oakiness as a result of all the base wines being vinified and aged in oak. It is unapologetically pronounced and graciously free of any oxidative tones. The bold richness continues on the palate, which comes with an accentuated acidity that beautifully cuts the power of the wine and brings liveliness. Full of fruit and flavour, this is a beautiful assemblage of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. This will take age, too. Dosage 7g/l. (Aug 2022)"
Product SKU 337735
Producer Billecart-Salmon
Country France
Region Champagne
Varietal Champagne / Sparkling Blend
Vintage NV
Size 1.5L
Color White
Blend 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier
ABV 12.0%
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