2008 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François – 98 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Champagne

98 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK! 97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING! 97 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST! 150 MONTHS ON LEES! THE EXTRAORDINARY 2008 BILLECART-SALMON CUVÉE NICOLAS FRANÇOIS – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT PRESTIGE CUVÉES FOR JUST $460!

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

2008 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François – Champagne, France

RRP $460 per bottle

NOW THIS IS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY CHAMPAGNE!

There are great Champagnes.

There are exceptional Champagnes.

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

THE 2008 BILLECART-SALMON CUVÉE NICOLAS FRANÇOIS 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 winemaking philosophy.

And the numbers are simply astonishing.

98 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK!

97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

97 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST!

96 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE!

THE LEGENDARY 2008 CHAMPAGNE VINTAGE!

83% GRAND CRU FRUIT!

60% PINOT NOIR!

40% CHARDONNAY!

150 MONTHS ON LEES!

JUST 2.9 GRAMS PER LITRE DOSAGE!

JUST $460 A BOTTLE!

Think lemon curd.

Ripe apricots.

Mandarin zest.

Fresh brioche.

Roasted hazelnuts.

Praline.

Delicate honey.

And a wonderfully long, chalky mineral finish.

This is Champagne with magnificent concentration.

Extraordinary precision.

Beautifully integrated bubbles.

And the remarkable depth that comes from more than twelve years of maturation on lees.

THIS IS PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE AT ITS MOST COMPELLING!

Billecart-Salmon – More Than 200 Years of Champagne Excellence

The story of Billecart-Salmon begins in 1818.

Founded by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, this magnificent Champagne house has remained family-owned for more than two centuries.

That is a remarkable achievement.

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

Billecart-Salmon has maintained its independence.

Its identity.

And its extraordinary commitment to quality.

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

Wines with beautifully fine bubbles.

Exceptional purity.

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

But Cuvée Nicolas François 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 Nicolas François – A Tribute to the Founder

The Cuvée Nicolas François was created in 1964.

It was named in honour of Nicolas François Billecart, one of the founders of the Champagne house.

The ambition was to create a wine of exceptional distinction.

A Champagne that brought together the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the region's most celebrated vineyards.

A wine with concentration.

Structure.

Elegance.

And extraordinary ageing potential.

And that philosophy remains central to the cuvée today.

The 2008 vintage is a magnificent expression of that ambition.

A PRESTIGE CUVÉE CREATED IN 1964 – HONOURING A CHAMPAGNE HOUSE FOUNDED IN 1818!

The Legendary 2008 Champagne Vintage

Now here's where this Champagne becomes particularly exciting.

2008!

Among serious Champagne enthusiasts, 2008 has become one of the most admired vintages of the modern era.

The growing season produced fruit with remarkable freshness and concentration.

The best wines possess beautiful acidity.

Extraordinary structure.

And the sort of precision that allows them to develop for decades.

It is a vintage celebrated for combining ripe fruit with exceptional tension.

And that is exactly what makes the 2008 Nicolas François so compelling.

The Pinot Noir provides magnificent depth.

The Chardonnay contributes beautiful mineral precision.

And the long maturation has allowed the wine to develop extraordinary complexity.

Yet the freshness remains.

The energy remains.

And the finish is astonishingly persistent.

2008 – A MAGNIFICENT VINTAGE FOR LONG-LIVED, PRECISE AND EXTRAORDINARILY COMPLEX CHAMPAGNE!

83% Grand Cru Fruit – Extraordinary Vineyard Pedigree

Now here's another detail that makes this Champagne so special.

83% GRAND CRU FRUIT!

17% PREMIER CRU FRUIT!

Grand Cru and Premier Cru are Champagne's historic classifications for villages recognised for the quality of their vineyards.

And the 2008 Nicolas François draws on some extraordinary locations.

For Pinot Noir:

AŸ!

VERZENAY!

MAREUIL-SUR-AŸ!

For Chardonnay:

LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

CRAMANT!

CHOUILLY!

These are among Champagne's most celebrated villages.

The Pinot Noir contributes structure, depth and concentration.

The Chardonnay brings elegance, citrus freshness and extraordinary chalky minerality.

The result is a Champagne with magnificent balance.

SIX CELEBRATED VILLAGES – ONE EXTRAORDINARY PRESTIGE CUVÉE!

60% Pinot Noir – Magnificent Structure and Depth

One of the defining features of the 2008 Nicolas François is the blend.

60% PINOT NOIR!

Pinot Noir is the dominant variety.

And that is important.

It provides the wine with magnificent structure.

Concentration.

And depth.

The fruit comes from exceptional villages in the Montagne de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne.

These vineyards are celebrated for producing Pinot Noir with remarkable character.

Think ripe orchard fruit.

Subtle red berries.

Delicate spice.

And wonderful palate weight.

But the 2008 vintage gives the Pinot Noir an additional dimension.

Extraordinary freshness.

And a beautifully defined structure.

The result is a wine with genuine power.

But never excessive heaviness.

60% PINOT NOIR – THE FOUNDATION OF THIS MAGNIFICENT PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE!

40% Chardonnay – The Precision of the Côte des Blancs

The remaining component is Chardonnay.

40% CHARDONNAY!

And not just any Chardonnay.

The fruit comes from three of the Côte des Blancs' most celebrated Grand Cru villages.

LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER!

CRAMANT!

CHOUILLY!

These vineyards are famous for producing Chardonnay with extraordinary finesse.

Fresh citrus.

White flowers.

And beautifully defined mineral character.

The chalk-rich soils contribute to the wine's distinctive precision.

And the 2008 vintage provides the acidity and structure needed for exceptional ageing.

The Chardonnay gives the wine lift.

Elegance.

And a wonderfully persistent finish.

40% CHARDONNAY – EXTRAORDINARY GRAND CRU PRECISION!

17% Vinified in Oak – Richness Without Sacrificing Elegance

Now here's another fascinating detail.

17% OF THE WINES WERE VINIFIED IN OAK CASKS!

The remaining 83% were vinified in tank.

This is an important part of the wine's personality.

The oak component contributes additional depth.

Texture.

And subtle complexity.

But it does not dominate the fruit.

Instead, it adds another layer to the wine.

Delicate spice.

Toasted hazelnut.

And subtle savoury richness.

The tank-fermented component preserves freshness and purity.

Together, they create a Champagne with magnificent balance.

THE RICHNESS OF OAK – THE PRECISION OF STAINLESS STEEL – BEAUTIFULLY INTEGRATED!

150 Months on Lees – More Than Twelve Years of Maturation

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

150 MONTHS ON LEES!

TWELVE AND A HALF 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 more than twelve years resting on its lees in the house's cellars.

During this period, the wine developed extraordinary complexity.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted pastry.

Praline.

Roasted hazelnuts.

And subtle savoury notes.

The bubbles became beautifully integrated.

The palate developed wonderful texture.

And the wine gained an extraordinary sense of depth.

But what makes the 2008 vintage so special is that it retains remarkable freshness despite all that maturation.

The acidity remains vibrant.

The mineral structure remains beautifully defined.

And the finish is wonderfully persistent.

150 MONTHS ON LEES – A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE PATIENCE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE GREAT CHAMPAGNE!

Just 2.9 g/L Dosage – Extraordinary Precision

Another defining feature of this Champagne is the dosage.

JUST 2.9 GRAMS PER LITRE!

That is remarkably low.

The dosage is the small addition made after disgorgement to balance the Champagne.

And in the 2008 Nicolas François, it is beautifully restrained.

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

Fresh lemon.

Mandarin.

Apricot.

And chalky salinity.

There is no excessive sweetness.

No heaviness.

Just beautiful precision.

But the wine is not austere.

The ripe Pinot Noir and extended lees ageing provide magnificent texture and depth.

JUST 2.9 g/L DOSAGE – WITH EXTRAORDINARY RICHNESS AND BALANCE!

98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

An extraordinary endorsement of this magnificent Champagne.

98 POINTS – AN OUTSTANDING RESULT FOR ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT PRESTIGE CUVÉES!

97 Points – James Suckling

Another extraordinary score.

97 Points – Wine Enthusiast

96 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Lemon Curd, Apricot, Praline and Extraordinary Mineral Precision

Now this is where the 2008 Nicolas François really comes into its own.

In the glass, the Champagne displays a magnificent golden colour.

The bubbles are exceptionally fine.

And the mousse is beautifully integrated.

The aromas are extraordinary.

Fresh lemon curd.

Mandarin zest.

Ripe apricots.

And delicate orange blossom.

Then come the more complex characters.

Fresh brioche.

Praline.

Roasted hazelnuts.

And subtle salted caramel.

On the palate, the wine is magnificent.

There is wonderful concentration.

Beautifully ripe fruit.

And an extraordinarily silky texture.

The Pinot Noir contributes power and structure.

The Chardonnay brings citrus freshness and chalky precision.

And the long maturation has created extraordinary depth.

But the finish is what really distinguishes this Champagne.

Long.

Fresh.

Mineral.

And beautifully persistent.

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

This is prestige Champagne at its finest.

A Magnificent Champagne for Food

One of the great attractions of the 2008 Nicolas François is its remarkable ability to complement serious food.

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

Scallops with Brown Butter

The Champagne's acidity balances the richness of the butter.

Lobster with Lemon Butter

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

Turbot with Beurre Blanc

The mineral precision complements the delicate richness of the fish.

Roast Chicken with Truffle

The wine's savoury complexity is a beautiful match.

Veal with Wild Mushrooms

Wonderful with the Champagne's structure and subtle oak influence.

Duck Breast

The Pinot Noir component complements the richness of duck.

Aged Comté

A magnificent pairing with the wine's nutty and savoury complexity.

Serve at approximately 11–12°C in a proper white-wine glass to appreciate its extraordinary character.

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 2008 Billecart-Salmon Nicolas François 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 LEGENDARY 2008!

Then there are the vineyards.

83% GRAND CRU FRUIT!

Then there is the blend.

60% PINOT NOIR! 40% CHARDONNAY!

Then there is the winemaking.

17% VINIFIED IN OAK!

Then there is the maturation.

150 MONTHS ON LEES!

Then there is the dosage.

JUST 2.9 g/L!

Then come the scores.

98 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK!

97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

97 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST!

96 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.

98 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK. 97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING. 150 MONTHS ON LEES. JUST $460.

2008 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François – one of Champagne's great prestige cuvées and a magnificent expression of the legendary 2008 vintage.

Wine Details

• Producer: Billecart-Salmon

• Wine: Cuvée Nicolas François

• Vintage: 2008

• Region: Champagne, France

• House Location: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ

• Founded: 1818

• Cuvée Created: 1964, in honour of Nicolas François Billecart

• Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

• Vineyard Classification: 83% Grand Cru, 17% Premier Cru

• Pinot Noir Villages: Aÿ, Verzenay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ

• Chardonnay Villages: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Chouilly

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Vinification: 83% tank, 17% oak casks

• Malolactic Fermentation: Partial

• Lees Ageing: 150 months

• Dosage: 2.9 g/L

• Style: Vintage prestige Champagne, Extra Brut dosage level

• Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

• Aromas: Lemon curd, apricot, mandarin, brioche, praline, hazelnut and subtle honey

• Palate: Powerful yet elegant, with silky mousse, vibrant acidity and a long chalky finish

• Published Critic Scores: 98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck; 97 Points – James Suckling; 97 Points – Wine Enthusiast; 96 Points – Wine Advocate

• RRP: $460 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Scallops, lobster, turbot, roast chicken, veal, duck and aged Comté

• Serving Temperature: 11–12°C

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