Billecart-Salmon Vintage 2009

Now perfectly mature, this Champagne still offers minerality as well as touches of freshness. It is structured from the Pinot Noir in the blend, crisp while also toasty. Drink now.

Disgorged with two grams per liter dosage, Billecart-Salmon's 2009 Extra Brut Vintage is more giving and demonstrative than its 2008 counterpart, offering up inviting aromas of crisp stone fruit, yellow apple, brioche, honeycomb and warm pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a pillowy mousse and a generous core of fruit girdled by bright acids, it's seamless and complete. Indeed, such is its charm and persistence that I tend to prefer it, at least for now, to the 2008.

This is a big, rich wine with lots of strawberry and red-apple character. It’s full and layered with very pretty fruit. Caressing and fresh at the same time. A bit ponderous. 40% pinot noir, 27% pinot meunier and the rest chardonnay. First time with pinot meunier in the blend, helping to maintain balance in the hot 2009 vintage. Drink or hold.

Une palette bien mûre mais primaire. L’empreinte solaire se distingue d’entrée sur ces fruits jaunes bien mûrs. Une palette certes jeune mais bien faite. La bouche se montre ample, elle doit manger son côté percutant de la bulle, cela demandera un peu de temps pour être dompté. L'ensemble est vineux et trouvera sa position à table.