Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne Cuvée Elisabeth 2009

98 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "A slightly flinty and vibrant bouquet alongside complex aromas of red berries, herbs and lemon, with fresh menthol notes coming through with some air. The palate is wonderful and elegant, with a vinous texture and a superb, calcareous finish. A blend of 45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir (including 9% vinified as red wine), this Champagne, which has a dosage of 7g/L, is made for ageing. Drinking Window: 2023-2050. (11/6/22)"

97 points Sarah Mayo (The Wine Independent): "The Queen of Rosé at Billecart-Salmon, the Elizabeth Salmon 2009 reigns supreme as an assemblage of the best vin clairs selected blind, by unanimous committee of eight no less, to represent the vintage. This 2009 is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir with 10% of the Pinot added as still wine, and 45% Grand Cru Chardonnay only from the Côte des Blancs that was mostly cold fermented in stainless steel with a portion vinified in barrel, underwent prolonged aging, then was finished with seven grams per liter dosage. Flush with radiant notes of black plum cobbler, Meyer lemon curd, crème brulée, cardamon, and whipped honey with nuances of fresh brioche and almond nougat following in the aromatic train. Medium to full-bodied and opulent at first sip, the palate is velvety and lush with an astounding depth of black cherry and ripe citrus concentration that is brightly cloaked in shimmering acidity and studded with honey notes on a silky finish that just goes on and on. Disgorged July 2021. Lot: L85147. Alcohol 12.5%. Drink: 2023-2035. (11/8/23)"

96 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamless and pillowy, with bright acids and a pure, precise profile, concluding with a bright, saline finish. In 2009, it was vinified entirely in stainless steel. Drink: 2022-2035. (Aug 2022)"

96 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2022 in Australia; 55% pinot noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Aÿ, 45% chardonnay from the grand crus of the Côte des Blancs; Less than 10% pinot noir red wine from south-facing old vines in Valofroy in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; 7g/L dosage (all on back label); vinified in stainless steel tanks; partial malolactic fermentation; aged 132 months on lees; cork). The sensitive touch and dextrous adaptability at every level at Billecart deliver grace and beauty in the wildly diverse climate that characterises modern Champagne. 2009 was a much more generous season than the fabled 2008 before it, and in response no barrel fermentation was called for (2008 was 17%). The silky structure and captivating allure achieved are something to behold – no small feat with stainless steel fermentation, and no doubt owing significantly to 132 months on lees. A medium salmon hue with a copper tint hails a bouquet rich with red berry fruits of all kinds, rose hip, dark spice and brioche. The palate is gloriously rich within the elegant confines of Billecart, rippling with red berry compote, poached strawberries and fruit mince spice, even a hint of greengage plum. Pure chalk minerality and fine tannin texture meld seamlessly with juicy fruit succulence on a finish of medium persistence. An Elisabeth Salmon to drink young while the 2008 rests in the cellar. Fantastic line, fine chalk mineral structure and excellent ripe fruit presence. (Edition VII; 2024)"

96 points James Suckling: "Copper-orange color with aromas of grapefruit pith, cherry stones, dried roses, white pepper, pastries, walnuts and oyster shells. Refined and elegant with pretty, dried red and citrus fruit, layered with subtle spice and toast. Fine bubbles. Dry. 55% pinot noir from Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay, and 45% Grand Cru chardonnay from Cote des Blancs, with 10% of pinot noir red wine. Dosage 7g/L. Disgorged in July 2021. Drink or hold. (6/29/22)"

96 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Falstaff): "A wonderfully open nose immediately presents ripe red currant framed by notions as various as fresh gingerbread, iron oxide, berry sherbet, orange peel, candied tangerine and caramel: richness and freshness united. The palate is smooth with fine, vivid effervescence that propels the wine’s inherent freshness continually to the surface, both countering and complementing a certain roundness, a certain gourmandise that shimmers with red fruit, ripe, aromatic citrus and stony spice. A most gastronomic Champagne that will evolve beautifully. A.K. (1/1/22)"

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "One of the great rosés, this Champagne named after a member of the family, is ripe with layers of red fruits and tight acidity. This vintage is still amazingly young, fresh and crisp with only a hint of maturity creeping in at the end. Drink now, and also age further. Alcohol 12.5%. (Dec 2022)"

96 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2023).

94-96 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay) An elegantly, soft and cushiony Elizabeth Salmon, where the plush ripe fruitness meets pristine red and yellow fruit. Cranberries, red apples, apricot and vanilla. Broad on the silky palate with just a bite of firming tannin and long, succulently fruity length. (May 2023)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is such a joyous Champagne. Intensely floral and effusive, the 2009 is a real charmer. Kirsch, sweet red cherry fruit, orange peel, mint, chalk and white pepper are all finely woven together. This is an especially brisk style, both for the year and for Billecart. If anything, the dosage feels a bit low here, which gives the wine chiseled contours and a slightly austere personality. DrinkP 2027-2039. (May 2022)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "An elegant rosé Champagne that seamlessly knits juicy acidity and fine-grained texture with a subtle, smoke-laced underpinning and a delicate mesh of wild strawberry, kirsch, mandarin orange peel and toasted brioche flavors. Harmonious, with an open-knit, spiced finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged July 2021. Drink now through 2029. (12/15/22)"