2008 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels. (YC)

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart remains quite potent and young. It’s starting to gain some weight, but it remains a classically austere Champagne. The fruit is reticent, and its contours are angular. The 2008 is a very good wine, but, as I have said in the past, it is a Champagne that belongs to the prior era here. Vinification was 83% in tank and 17% in oak, likely a decision made to give the wine more body in this decidedly lean vintage. Dosage is 2.9 grams per liter. Disgorged: first trimester 2022. (AG)

Along with the 2008 Krug, the 2008 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne is already being called one of the top champagnes of the vintage, which is saying a lot because 2008 is universally considered the best vintage of the 21st century. What makes the 2008 so special in comparison to other lauded vintage years? Champagne's weather is lousy and erratic. Even in vintage years the physiological development of the grapes' ripeness and acidity can be erratic as well. In 2008, however, there was constant sunshine, which allowed the grapes to gradually ripen to perfection, and a constant cold breeze, which allowed the acidity to gradually develop to perfection at the same time! These goldilocks conditions are rare. Throw in a top producer who has been at the sparking game since 1818 and you've got the 2008 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne. Already 25 years old, this champagne is drinking beautifully, but it's going to age forever so if you're looking for a liquid prize to store in your cellar this is the one. Enjoy!

This bubbly is gorgeous and really shows why everyone is (or should be) so in love with 2008 vintage Champagne. The nose is a bouquet of flowers, rich brioche turned into French toast, baked pear, and lemon curd. The palate is bright and elegant with laser-focused lemon, chalky minerality, fresh peaches, hazelnut, and then more of that baked pear into the finish.