I adore the style of Billecart-Salmon. Perhaps the most elegant Champagne producer and I am happy every time I stick my nose into a “BS” Champagne. The delicate Rosé has the most awesome light salmon colour with matching subtle bubble flow. I have tasted this single vineyard Champagne in the 1996 and now for the second time in the 1998 vintage. I have to say that the 1996 version is superior with much better mineral kick. But this is not that bad. Superb purity with piquant red fruit, strawberry and maritime waves. Nose has a good complexity tones with adding vanilla and anise. Taste is where the problems start. A bit metallic, which gives the Champagne a rustic look and it doesn’t match up the delicate nose and the elegant BS profile. I know from their NV Rosé that this balance can be obtained with cellaring – so give it 5-6 years.
1998 Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Elizabeth Rosé, Champagne, France
Pure candy – delicate sweetness; strawberries, sprinkled with vanilla flavours. With air some additional spices – cranberries and red fruits. Extremely sexy and seems only 3-4 years away from its drinking window. Not as mineral attached as the ’96, but simply adorable. Served with: Yogurt mousse and dark bread and some sort of powder.
This dish was all about texture and we where told to eat the three ingredients all together. It’s always difficult to have something ice-cold in the mouth, but the dark bread and powder gave the needed balance and warmth. The Champagnes matched it fine.
(Tasted Feb-2007)
1998 Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon, Champagne, France
must confess that I am sucker for the style of BS. So elegant…the taste struggling with young age – give 5-6 years and it will sing.
(Tasted Jul-2007)
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