Billecart-Salmon "Les Rendez-Vous #7 Meunier Champagne

The first of a pair of Meuniers based on the sunny 2018 vintage chosen to continue Billecart-Salmon's Rendez-vous series of limited, terroir-focused releases, No 7 features grapes from the south-facing vineyards of Venteuil overlooking the Marne river. It's a striking contrast to the nimble, chalky No 8. It has beautiful maturity of fruit in its juicy cherry, orange and orchard blossom aromas, and there's a juicy, smooth presence of fruit and a clean-cut, zippy thrust of acidity (with no malolactic creaminess at play). It's a pure picture of ripe and energetic Meunier in this solar vintage. (TH)

The NV Champagne Le Rendez-Vous De Billecart-Salmon No. 7 Meunier Extra Brut has a medium straw copper hue. It is chalky and pithy, yet very open and appealing, with a savory feel and notes of Mirabelle, white grapefruit, wet stones, and peach pit. The palate takes its savory, mouthwatering nature up a notch with more depth and richness of texture, as well as a frothy mousse. It is citrus-toned but also captures the natural fruitiness of Meunier. It had a dosage of 3.5 grams per liter. Drink 2025-2035. (AF)