2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne

K&L Wine Merchant's LOVE Billecart-Salmon! We are the largest buyer and seller of Billecart-Salmon in the United States, and the United States is one of Billecart's first export markets and now it's largest and most profitable. Given those facts, it should come as no surprise that Billecart's special 200th anniversary limited edition 2018 vintage champagne is also a celebration of America's 250th birthday and was created especially for us! There's even a sketch of the Statue of Liberty (a gift from France!) on the label. Elegant and refined on the nose, the Anniversary is 65% Grand Cru Pinot Noir and 35% Grand Cru Chardonnay, vinified in stainless steel (97%) and a tiny bit in barrel (3%). 2018 is solar (hot!) but highly rated vintage characterized by fruitiness, elegance, freshness, and delicacy. Partial malolactic conversion maintains the wine's freshness. The dosage is 4.9g/l, keeping with Billecart's pivot to drier champagnes. On the nose and palate, brioche, chalk, white flowers, poached pear, almond, peach, mirabelle plum, and stone fruit. Load up for July 4th!

The perfect wine to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Billecart Salmon is one of my favorite houses, so it's no surprise that their 2018 vintage is out of this world. On the palate, this wine has notes of brioche, red apple, citrus, and white flowers, with a touch of salinity and refreshing minerality.