2009 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs – 97 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Champagne

97 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK! 96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING! 100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY! 12 YEARS ON LEES! THE MAGNIFICENT 2009 BILLECART-SALMON CUVÉE LOUIS SALMON – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT PRESTIGE BLANC DE BLANCS FOR JUST $460!

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck | 96 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 95 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2009 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs – Champagne, France

RRP $460 per bottle

NOW THIS IS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY CHARDONNAY CHAMPAGNE!

There are great Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.

There are exceptional Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.

And then there are those rare prestige cuvées that combine magnificent Grand Cru vineyards, an outstanding vintage and more than a decade of patient maturation.

THE 2009 BILLECART-SALMON CUVÉE LOUIS SALMON IS ONE OF THOSE WINES!

From one of Champagne's most respected family-owned houses comes a wine that represents the absolute pinnacle of its Chardonnay winemaking.

And the numbers are simply astonishing.

97 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK!

96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE!

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

58% CRAMANT!

21% CHOUILLY!

21% LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

144 MONTHS ON LEES!

JUST 3.75 GRAMS PER LITRE DOSAGE!

JUST $460 A BOTTLE!

Think lemon custard.

Fresh mandarins.

Ripe pears.

White flowers.

Toasted almonds.

Fresh brioche.

Marzipan.

And a magnificent, long, chalky mineral finish.

This is Champagne with extraordinary concentration.

Beautifully integrated bubbles.

Wonderful complexity.

And the sort of mineral precision that makes the finest Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs so special.

ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT PRESTIGE BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNES – AND AN ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT 2009!

Billecart-Salmon – More Than 200 Years of Champagne Excellence

The story of Billecart-Salmon begins in 1818.

That was the year Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon established the Champagne house in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ.

More than two centuries later, Billecart-Salmon remains family-owned.

That is an extraordinary achievement.

Particularly in a region where many of the world's most famous Champagne brands are now part of enormous international luxury groups.

Billecart-Salmon has maintained its independence.

Its traditions.

And its extraordinary commitment to quality.

The house has become celebrated for producing Champagnes of remarkable elegance.

Wines with beautifully fine bubbles.

Extraordinary purity.

And a level of refinement that distinguishes them from many of their peers.

But Cuvée Louis Salmon occupies a particularly special place in the collection.

This is not simply another vintage Champagne.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HOUSE'S GREAT PRESTIGE CUVÉES!

Cuvée Louis Salmon – A Tribute to an Important Figure in the House's History

Cuvée Louis Salmon takes its name from Louis Salmon, the brother of Elisabeth Salmon.

Louis was passionate about oenology.

And he played an important role in winemaking during the early years of the Champagne house.

The cuvée honours his contribution.

And it does so through an extraordinary expression of Chardonnay.

The ambition is to create a Champagne of exceptional purity.

Mineral precision.

Elegance.

And extraordinary ageing potential.

A wine that showcases the very best Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards of the Côte des Blancs.

And the 2009 vintage is a magnificent example of that philosophy.

A PRESTIGE CUVÉE HONOURING LOUIS SALMON – AND MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES OF CHAMPAGNE HISTORY!

The 2009 Champagne Vintage – Richness, Generosity and Beautiful Balance

The 2009 vintage produced Champagnes with wonderful natural ripeness.

The growing season allowed Chardonnay to develop impressive fruit concentration.

And the best wines combine that generosity with beautifully integrated acidity.

This is particularly important for Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

Because Chardonnay needs to deliver more than freshness.

It needs depth.

Texture.

And structure.

The 2009 Louis Salmon possesses all three.

The fruit is wonderfully expressive.

The palate has magnificent richness.

And the mineral finish provides remarkable precision.

After twelve years on lees, the Champagne has developed extraordinary complexity.

Yet the freshness remains.

The acidity remains beautifully defined.

And the finish is astonishingly persistent.

THE GENEROSITY OF 2009 – WITH THE PRECISION OF GREAT GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

100% Grand Cru Chardonnay – The Very Best of the Côte des Blancs

Now here's one of the most extraordinary details about this Champagne.

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

Every grape comes from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs.

This is one of the world's greatest regions for Chardonnay.

The chalk-rich soils produce wines with extraordinary mineral character.

Fresh citrus.

White flowers.

And remarkable ageing potential.

But what makes the 2009 Louis Salmon particularly fascinating is the precision of the blend.

58% CRAMANT!

21% CHOUILLY!

21% LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

Three of Champagne's most celebrated Grand Cru villages.

Each contributes something distinctive.

And together, they create a magnificent balance.

THREE GREAT GRAND CRU VILLAGES – ONE EXTRAORDINARY PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE!

58% Cramant – The Heart of the Blend

The dominant component of the 2009 Louis Salmon comes from Cramant.

58% CRAMANT!

Cramant is one of the Côte des Blancs' most celebrated Grand Cru villages.

It is renowned for producing Chardonnay with beautiful finesse.

Elegant fruit.

And extraordinary texture.

The village's chalk-rich vineyards contribute wonderful mineral precision.

But the wines can also possess a remarkably creamy character.

That combination is particularly important in the 2009 Louis Salmon.

Because the vintage brings natural richness.

And Cramant provides the elegance needed to balance it.

Think ripe pear.

White flowers.

Fresh citrus.

And a beautifully refined palate.

58% CRAMANT – MAGNIFICENT GRAND CRU FINESSE!

21% Chouilly – Elegance and Beautiful Fruit

The next component comes from Chouilly.

21% CHOUILLY!

Chouilly is another magnificent Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs.

Its Chardonnay is celebrated for its beautiful fruit expression.

Elegance.

And approachable generosity.

The wines often display ripe orchard fruit.

Fresh citrus.

And delicate floral notes.

In the 2009 Louis Salmon, Chouilly contributes another layer of finesse.

It helps create the wine's beautifully integrated texture.

And adds to its remarkable aromatic complexity.

21% CHOUILLY – BEAUTIFUL FRUIT AND EXTRAORDINARY ELEGANCE!

21% Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – Structure and Longevity

The final component comes from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

21% LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

Now this is a particularly important village.

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger is one of Champagne's most celebrated sources of Chardonnay.

Its chalk-rich vineyards produce wines of remarkable structure.

Extraordinary mineral tension.

And magnificent ageing potential.

The best examples can develop for decades.

And in the 2009 Louis Salmon, Le Mesnil plays an essential role.

It provides the backbone.

The precision.

And the long, chalky finish.

It is the component that helps balance the richness of the vintage.

21% LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER – EXTRAORDINARY STRUCTURE AND MINERAL PRECISION!

100% Stainless Steel Vinification – Preserving the Purity

Now here's another fascinating detail.

100% STAINLESS STEEL VINIFICATION!

There was no oak used to ferment the base wines for this vintage.

And that was a deliberate choice.

The 2009 vintage produced wonderfully ripe Chardonnay.

The winemaking team wanted to preserve freshness.

Purity.

And the distinctive character of the Grand Cru vineyards.

Stainless steel allows the fruit to remain beautifully expressive.

Fresh lemon.

Mandarin.

Ripe pear.

And delicate white flowers.

Without obvious oak influence.

The wine also underwent only partial malolactic fermentation.

That helped retain its fresh acidity.

And its wonderfully precise structure.

PURE GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY – WITHOUT OAK MASKING THE FRUIT!

144 Months on Lees – Twelve Years of Patient Maturation

Now here's where this Champagne becomes truly extraordinary.

144 MONTHS ON LEES!

TWELVE YEARS!

That is an astonishing amount of maturation.

After the base wines were blended, the Champagne underwent its second fermentation in bottle.

It then spent twelve years resting on its lees in the house's cellars.

During this period, the wine developed extraordinary complexity.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted almonds.

Marzipan.

Delicate pastry.

And subtle honey.

The bubbles became beautifully integrated.

The palate developed a magnificent creamy texture.

And the Champagne gained an extraordinary sense of depth.

But what makes the 2009 Louis Salmon so impressive is that it retains remarkable freshness.

The citrus fruit remains vibrant.

The mineral character is beautifully defined.

And the finish is extraordinarily long.

TWELVE YEARS OF PATIENT MATURATION – AND THE RESULT IS MAGNIFICENT!

Just 3.75 g/L Dosage – Extraordinary Mineral Precision

Another important detail is the dosage.

JUST 3.75 GRAMS PER LITRE!

That is a remarkably restrained dosage.

It allows the fruit and mineral character to remain at the forefront.

Fresh lemon.

Mandarin.

Pear.

And chalky salinity.

But the wine is not austere.

The ripe Chardonnay and extended lees ageing provide magnificent texture and depth.

The result is beautifully balanced.

Fresh.

Elegant.

And precise.

JUST 3.75 g/L DOSAGE – WITH EXTRAORDINARY RICHNESS AND FINESSE!

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

97 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK – A MAGNIFICENT ENDORSEMENT OF THIS GREAT PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE!

96 Points – James Suckling

95 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Lemon Custard, Mandarin, Marzipan and Extraordinary Mineral Precision

Now this is where the 2009 Louis Salmon really comes into its own.

In the glass, the Champagne displays a beautiful pale-gold colour.

The bubbles are exceptionally fine.

And the mousse is wonderfully persistent.

The aromas are extraordinary.

Fresh lemon custard.

Mandarin zest.

Ripe pears.

And delicate white flowers.

Then come the more complex characters.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted almonds.

Marzipan.

And subtle honey.

On the palate, the wine is magnificent.

There is wonderful concentration.

Beautifully ripe Chardonnay fruit.

And an extraordinarily creamy texture.

The Cramant provides finesse.

The Chouilly contributes beautiful fruit.

And Le Mesnil-sur-Oger brings remarkable structure and mineral precision.

The finish is long.

Fresh.

Chalky.

And beautifully persistent.

A MAGNIFICENT COMBINATION OF RICHNESS, ELEGANCE, MATURITY AND EXTRAORDINARY PRECISION!

This is prestige Blanc de Blancs Champagne at its finest.

A Magnificent Champagne for Food

One of the great attractions of the 2009 Louis Salmon is its remarkable ability to complement serious food.

Its combination of richness, acidity and mineral precision makes it a magnificent match for an extraordinary range of dishes.

Lobster Risotto

A magnificent pairing with the wine's creamy texture and citrus freshness.

King Scallops with Teriyaki Glaze

A pairing recommended by Billecart-Salmon itself.

Turbot with Beurre Blanc

The mineral precision complements the delicate richness of the fish.

Poached Lobster

Beautiful with lemon butter.

Kingfish Crudo

Wonderful with citrus and delicate herbs.

Blue Swimmer Crab

The freshness complements the natural sweetness of crab.

Roast Chicken with Truffle

The Champagne's complexity makes this a magnificent pairing.

Aged Comté

Excellent with the wine's nutty and savoury characters.

Serve at approximately 10–12°C in a proper white-wine glass to appreciate its extraordinary depth and elegance.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are passionate about wines that represent the very best of their regions.

And the 2009 Billecart-Salmon Louis Salmon is exactly that sort of wine.

First, there is the producer.

ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT FAMILY-OWNED HOUSES!

Then there is the vintage.

THE MAGNIFICENT 2009!

Then there is the vineyard pedigree.

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

Then there is the blend.

58% CRAMANT! 21% CHOUILLY! 21% LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

Then there is the winemaking.

100% STAINLESS STEEL VINIFICATION!

Then there is the maturation.

144 MONTHS ON LEES!

Then there is the dosage.

JUST 3.75 g/L!

Then come the scores.

97 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK!

96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE!

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $460 A BOTTLE!

For anyone who loves exceptional Champagne, magnificent vintages and wines with extraordinary ageing potential, this is a truly special addition to the cellar.

A Champagne with history.

A Champagne with pedigree.

And a Champagne that demonstrates what is possible when extraordinary vineyards, a great vintage and patient maturation come together.

97 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK. 96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING. 100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY. TWELVE YEARS ON LEES. JUST $460.

2009 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon – one of Champagne's great prestige Blanc de Blancs and a magnificent expression of the 2009 vintage.

Wine Details

• Producer: Billecart-Salmon

• Wine: Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs

• Vintage: 2009

• Region: Champagne, France

• House Location: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ

• Founded: 1818

• Named For: Louis Salmon, brother of Elisabeth Salmon

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Vineyard Classification: 100% Grand Cru

• Village Composition: 58% Cramant, 21% Chouilly, 21% Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Vinification: 100% stainless steel tanks

• Malolactic Fermentation: Partial

• Lees Ageing: 144 months

• Dosage: 3.75 g/L

• Style: Vintage prestige Blanc de Blancs Champagne

• Alcohol: Approximately 12%

• Aromas: Lemon custard, mandarin, pear, white flowers, brioche, almond and marzipan

• Palate: Rich yet precise, with creamy mousse, vibrant acidity and a long chalky finish

• Published Critic Scores: 97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck; 96 Points – James Suckling; 95 Points – Wine Advocate

• RRP: $460 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Lobster, scallops, turbot, kingfish, crab, roast chicken and aged Comté

• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C

• Drinking: Magnificent now, with considerable potential for further cellaring