Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne Cuvée Elisabeth 2008

99 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2022 in France; 55% pinot noir from the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Aÿ; 45% chardonnay from the grand crus of the Côte des Blancs; 76% grand crus, 24% premier crus; 9% pinot noir red wine from 87-year-old vines in the parcel of Valofroy on the south-facing slopes of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; 17% fermented and matured in 15 year old barrels; partial malolactic fermentation; aged 10 years on lees; bottled June 2009, disgorged January 2021; 7g/L dosage; cork). The electrifying energy of 2008 charges Elisabeth Salmon with a dynamism and an endurance like never before. To capture such precision and such concentration of epic, pure morello cherry and raspberry fruit and yet at every instant to remain steadfast to the elegance and refinement that is Billecart is the profound juxtaposition that elevates 2008 to dizzying heights. Testimony to the depth of south-facing Mareuil pinot noir even in a season as cool as 2008, just 9% red wine is all it takes to infuse a pretty, medium salmon hue that has taken on a copper tint in time. It confidently takes 14 years in its stride, revealed only in the most subtle nuances of vanilla and marzipan. With time in the glass, it billows to incredible heights of spice and even suggestions of fruit mince spice. A little fermentation in old oak barrels builds texture and integration more than it does a subtle nuance of jamon. Partial malolactic fermentation in a season with malic acidity as pronounced as 2008 is a nail-biting affair, perfectly played by chef de cave François Domi. Radiant acidity spirals with minerality as fine as ground glass to drive incredible persistence and build a shimmering jetstream that slices through a finish of endless blue daylight. It is dashing from the outset, yet possesses decades of potential coiled into its graceful yet commanding folds. (Edition VII; 2024)"

98 points Peter Liem (Decanter): " A superb vintage of this renowned prestige cuvée, this is made from a base of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, to which is added 9% of red wine. Despite ageing on its lees for 10 years, it remains almost shockingly youthful, its vividly primary flavours of red cherry, strawberry and nectarine wrapped up in a taut, tense frame. It’s silky in texture and intricately complex on the long, elegantly harmonious finish, underlined by a saline chalkiness, and it demonstrates all the requisite completeness and character for long ageing, promising a slow and dignified evolution to come. Drinking Window: 2021-2050. (May 2021)"

98 points James Suckling: "This is very vinous with aromas of iron, strawberries, old roses and geraniums. So aromatic. Full-bodied, really intense and layered with super dryness and depth. Lots of saline and spicy character at the end, such as clove and pepper, as well as hints of flowers and melted butter. Strawberry tart at the end. 17% in aged oak casks. Blend of 55% pinot noir from six villages (Mareuil sur Ay, Ay, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy) and 45% chardonnay from three Grand Crus (Mesnil sur Oger, Cramant and Chouilly). 9% of the blend is red wine from a parcel in the village of Mareuil sur Ay. Bottled June 2009 and disgorged July 2019. Drink or hold. (5/31/21)"

96-98 points Essi Avellan, MW: "55% Piot Noir, 45% Chardonnay. The colour is invitingly glossy salmon pink and the nose full of charms. Almost two years of post-disgorgement time have ensured such openness and generosity. There is lots of delicious primary fruit like red cherry, strawberry, baked peach, lemon and blood orange. Age-derived complexity comes across in the form of spices, licorice, and even leather, once given proper time in the glass to fully express itself. Still the most gorgeous feature of this cuvée is the phenomenally creamy texture. Billecart have for the first time used some oak barrels in the crafting of this cuvée (17%), which surely has aided in creating this appetising fleshiness, silkiness and caressing creaminess on the palate. Crisp by nature for sure, it isn’t too acidity driven due to that richness filling the mid-palate. Tannins are beautifully low-key yet the wine has beautiful structure to it. The carry is long and seamless with pure, fruity, palate-cleansing finishing notions. An exquisite Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon. The added bonus is that there will be magnums for the very first time. Almost 1,5 years after release, August 2022: Deep salmon pink colour, with onion-skin hues that speak of evolution. The truly complex nose combines primary fruit of cherry, strawberry, tangerine and apricot. But there is much more to it than mere fruit, with spicy liquorice tones and spirity Cointreau whiffs adding further complexity. The palate brings on a much tighter, more reserved side of the wine. High in acidity but not overly so; the silkiness charms, and the soft tannic bite brings a further element of freshness and firmness. Disgorged 1/21; dosage 7g/l. (Aug 2022)"

97+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged with seven grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is one of the finest wines I've tasted from Billecart in recent years. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of peach, mandarin oil, warm bread, red berries and petals, it's full-bodied, deep and vinous, with lovely mid-palate amplitude, terrific concentration and bright girdling acids. In what is quite a tightly wound vintage and from a house whose style is rather understated, this is a dramatic, fleshy wine that concludes with a long, flavorful finish. Drink: 2022-2048. (Sep 2021)"

97+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2008 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon explodes from the glass with a mesmerizing array of aromas, flavors and textures. Blood orange, cinnamon, mint and dried flowers. The 2008 is incredibly young, but it is also incredibly tempting. Patience will be rewarded. In the meantime, readers might enjoy adding a few bottles of the stellar 2007 to their cellars, as the nervy, taut 2008 needs time. The 2008 is 55% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay and Mareuil) and 45% Chardonnay (from Chouilly, Avize and Cramant), with 9% still wine from Mareuil. It is the first vintage that includes a portion of wines (17%) done in barrel and the first vintage in which the magnums were aged on the cork rather than on crown seal. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Drink: 2028-2043. (Nov 2021)"

97+ points Michael Edwards (The World of Fine Wine): "(76% grands crus, 24% premiers crus; 55% Pinot Noir from the Montage de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne, 45% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs; 9% of the Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine. 17% of the cuvée is vinified in oak barrels, average age 15 years). The lively freshness of 2008, this vintage's signature, is marked at first by a dynamic stream of tiny bubbles and a refined, snowy mousse... This has the lovely color of its maturing path, subtle pink with copper lights... the first citrus fruits come through, then an engaging note of citron confit, followed by cherry and peach from the Pinot Noir. The vigor of the attack from Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzenay, and Verzy, so apparent on the nose, is also vitally in harmony with the texture of the wine on the tongue... Disage 7g/l. All this should aid a graceful evolution to 2025 and beyond... (Issue 72; 2021)"

97 points TastingBook: Drink: 2020-2035.

96 points Roger Voss (Wine Enthusiast): "Although a small part of this Champagne was vinified in wood, it is the rich fruit that shows the wine's quality. Touches of toast indicate the approach of maturity, and the wine is now perfectly poised and ready to drink. (Dec 2021)"

96 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Falstaff): "This deep salmon pink wine is a study in subtlety. It is gently fragrant and takes time to open up. At first, the nose is rather creamy, even lactic, but then, slowly, redcurrant and blood orange appear with an aromatic overtone of potentilla. The palate, with very fine mousse, exquisite texture and balance, then veers into a most Pinot-esque direction that reveals truffle and a dimension of earthiness and undergrowth. It shimmers with white pepper and has a touch of toasted hazelnut on the bright finish. A real treat. (8/8/21)"

96 points La Revue du Vin de France (2022).

96 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2022).

Producer notes: "Billecart-Salmon's rare and highly sought after 'Elisabeth' Brut Rosé, a blend of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is made only in exceptional vintages, called millésimes. It was created in 1988 as a tribute to co-founder Elisabeth Salmon. 50% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne; 50% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Less than 10% of the Pinot Noir is vinified as a red wine. The grapes for the red wine come from the “Valofroy” vineyard of old vines, located on the slopes of Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ and which benefit from a south-facing exposure. Partial malolactic fermentation, aging on lees for 10 years. Dosage: 6g/l. Tasting Notes: On the palate, this rosé is delicate with dried roses, blood oranges, white cherries, and a bright chalkiness."