Billiot Brut Champagne Réserve Grand Cru NV

92 points Wine & Spirits: "A 75-25 blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, like almost all of Billiot's wines, this does not undergo malolatic conversion, creating a powerfully structured, muscular wine. The fine bubbles add to the briskness of its mouthwatering red fruit, its fruit-skin depth making the finish rich. Pour it with hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail collar). (Dec 2021)"

92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A pungent nose blends plenty of petrol character with those of brioche, yeast, Meyer lemon and green apple. I was impressed with the excellent complexity of the utterly delicious and solidly concentrated flavors that are shaped by a moderately fine and firm mousse, all wrapped in a lingering and sappy finish that walks a fine line between not being particularly dry yet avoids any hint of sweetness. This full-flavored effort will most please those who enjoy bold Champagne rather than those of finesse and refinement. Drink: now+."

92 points Wine Spectator: "[$58 list] The firm, focusing spine of acidity is enmeshed with a lovely satinlike texture as this carries notes of baked white cherry and black plum fruit, grilled macadamia nut, white blossoms and candied ginger. Long and minerally on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged March 2024. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases imported. (11/30/24)"

91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Laetitia Billiot’s current release of her “Brut Réserve” is from the base year of 2018, with reserve wines added in from the previous two vintages. The cépages is seventy-five percent pinot noir and twenty-five percent chardonnay, with the vins clairs raised entirely in stainless steel and not undergoing malo. It was disgorged in January of 2022 and finished with a dosage of nine grams per liter. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a mix of white peach, apple, warm bread, a lovely base of Ambonnay soil tones and plenty of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is brisk, full-bodied, focused and youthfully complex, with a good core of fruit, fine mineral drive, frothy mousse and a long, snappy and nicely balanced finish. With the vins clairs not undergoing malo here, this wine is still pretty youthful and could do with a bit of cellaring time to allow its spine of acidity to relax a bit. Good juice. 2024-2040. (Jul/Aug 2022)"