Last call on this great vintage from the masters of rosé! The 2013 has already arrived, so we are on borrowed time for these last bottles!

If you were one of K&L’s lucky customers to taste Billecart-Salmon's 2010 Brut Rosé Champagne and were appropriately blown away by its unique depth and complexity, then I am thrilled to announce the release of their 2012 “Cuvée Elizabeth Salmon” Brut Rosé Champagne. The 2010 Rosé was intended to be “Cuvée Elizabeth”, but the house believed it didn’t have the aging potential they wanted. To be clear – the 2010 Brut Rosé is NOT “Cuvée Elizabeth!” It’s a different champagne, but a magnificent tease of what is possible at rosé champagne’s highest level, which has now been achieved with the electrifying 2012 “Cuvée Elizabeth.” First, the pedigree. In 1988, this cuvée was created to honor the 206-year-old Grand Maison’s elegant co-founder Elisabeth Salmon. The cool 2012 Champagne vintage was declared epic at harvest and age has only added to its legendary reputation. The “Cuvée Elizabeth” is an assemblage of 55% Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chouilly, Avize, Mesnil, Cramant) and 45% Grand and 1er Cru Pinot Noir (Aÿ, Ambonnay, Mareuil-sur- Aÿ), with a little less than 10% of the Pinot Noir sourced from old vines in Billecart’s home of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ’s Valofroy vineyard to give the rosé its color and special character. Just under 3% of the wine was vinified in oak casks to add richness and aromatics, it was aged on the lees for 9 ½ years, and finally, after disgorgement in early 2023, was dosed at a low 3.8g/l. Second, the achievement. A royal golden salmon color, tight brisk bead, and layered aromatics are a premonition of the champagne’s artistry. Racy acidity delivers flavors that are simultaneously rich and bold but light, soft, and plush on the palate. It has an enormous depth of ripe but subtle red fruit, hazelnut, almond biscotti, saline, stone fruit, flowers, spice, green apple, sea air, and an undertow of chalky minerality that you would expect from Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. A long, refined, and dry finish lingers on the palate. There’s no question about the aging potential of this “Cuvée Elizabeth.” It's exquisite and opulent today but will continue to evolve in the cellar for many years. This is a monumental rosé champagne from a remarkable vintage that should not be missed!