BILLECART-SALMON CLOS ST. HILAIRE
Rarity and Complexity.
This unique Blanc de Noirs cuvée bears the name of the patron saint of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The one hectare vineyard responds to the most stringent norms: a single, unbroken and enclosed plot with a complete vinification installation in situ. This single vineyard cuvée has an incredible typicity with strength and elegance which will last for decades to come.
| France, Champagne | |
| APPELLATION: | Champagne AOC |
| GRAPES: | Pinot Noir vines from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ (Blanc de Noir Cuvée) |
| APPEARANCE: | A sustained yellow gold hue highlighted by intensely golden reflections and ultra-fine and persistent bubbles |
| AROMA: | An olfactive and aromatic impact of a great vinous complexity (fresh figs, bergamot and light tobacco). An intense blossoming of character, honeyed by a state of maturity of ripe fruits and spices |
| PALATE: | A profound and ample texture with accents of lightly candied citrus and panettone; an exuberant richness of flavours (wild peach, mandarin cordial, roasted sweet chestnuts and precious woods). Its mineral finish ends on mouthwatering notes |
| FOOD PAIRING: | This exceptional cuvée will enchant your taste buds when paired with a delicious line-caught seabass accompanied by roasted ceps, or with Breton lobster |
| SERVICE: | 12-15 °C |
RP98+
Entirely vinified in oak and disgorged in May 2018, after 15 years on the lees in bottle, the 2002 Millésime Brut Le Clos Saint-Hilaire is a single-plot Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir vines planted in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in 1964. Highly fine and pure on the deep, elegant and spicy nose, with intense mirabelle and apricot flavors, this is a pure, salty, very finessed yet tensioned, complex, mineral and refreshing Pinot with intense and well-concentrated fruit, a juicy texture and persistent structure. The finish is very long but pure, fresh, salty and, in any case, highly stimulating! Total production: 3,700 bottles. Tasted November 2018.
8/12/2018 Stephan Reinhardt
