I was treated to a bottle of this by Clement Calleja of Champagne Billecart-Salmon with the whole K&L Champagne team. It was the highlight of an evening where we drank every single one of the wonderful Champagnes of this great house. What stood out to me is the extraordinary creamy, nougaty aromas and flavors as well as the exceptionally tiny, tight bead of bubbles. This elegant tête de cuvée had me writing LUXURY in all caps in my notebook, and wowed me with layers of complexity that did not get in the way of supremely easy drinking. This is one of the best we have from the grand marques!

This is a fantastic bottle of bubbles from one of the great houses in Champagne. Aged 11 years on the lees, Billecart Salmon's 2006 Cuvee Nicolas Francois boasts ripe citrus fruits, brioche, pear and apricot. The ripe stone fruits continue on palate, balanced with a toasted nuttiness and ripeness throughout. This bottle goes down easy now, but will have a long life in the cellar as well.

Billecart-Salmon Champagne is consistently exceptional, both in quality and value, and that rings even truer in this special bottling. While it’s tricky to label a wine that retails for over $100 as a bargain, the heart and meticulous winemaking that goes into this release makes it worthwhile. The 2006 Cuvée Nicolas François spends an extra two years on the lees than most specialty releases from Billecart Salmon, bringing the total aging to ten years, at least! Some time in barrel gives it a toasty roundness without sacrificing brightness. White floral notes and berry fruit stand out on the nose, thanks to the 60-40% Pinot Noir-Chardonnay composition, with a creaminess to the palate that feels luxurious. But at six grams dosage, it stays balanced, with a crisp, dry finish. Plus, 2006 was such a generous vintage that this baby is ready to drink, and pairs especially well with sushi. Get it while you still can.