The 2009 Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis Blanc de Blancs is a Champagne blend from the renowned Billecart-Salmon producer in the Champagne region of France. This white wine, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly, and Cramant, offers a compelling example of Billecart-Salmon's craftsmanship. It was aged exclusively in steel tanks, ensuring a fresh and vibrant character, and finished with a dosage of 3.75 grams per liter.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 96 points, describing it as "showing an array of almonds, frangipani, dried lemons, apricots, pastries, and white chocolate, evolving to salted caramel." He emphasized its "fantastic complexity" and balance, noting the creamy, fine bubbles and a "chalky and mineral" finish (jamessuckling.com).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through Yohan Castaing, gave the wine 95 points, highlighting its "aromas of pear, lemon oil, mandarin oil, white pepper, pastry, and almonds." The review praised its "medium to full-bodied, chiseled and long" nature, with a "fresh, salty finish," calling it a "quintessential representation of Billecart's style, characterized by racy acids and a lively palate" (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate).
Wine Spectator's review, which scored the wine 93 points, noted its vivid character and "fine mousse acting as a creamy swath around well-honed acidity." The flavors included "poached apricot and ripe green apple, toast point and roasted nuts, preserved lemon and saffron" with a "salt-tinged finish" (Wine Spectator).
The Wine Independent's Sarah Mayo also rated it 95 points, commending its "freshness and finesse," with "expressive and alluring aromas of citrus confit, pear tart, freshly baked brioche, clover honey, and a whiff of verbena blossoms." The wine's "creamy palate" and "exhilarating acid tension" were particularly noted (The Wine Independent).
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine the highest score of 97 points, appreciating its "buoyant personality" with notes of "lemon custard, honeysuckle, fresh brioche, a hint of almond, and juicy pear." He described it as "full-bodied" with a "rich texture" that "coats the palate with citrus oils" and a "powerful yet balanced finish" (jebdunnuck.com).
Vinous's Antonio Galloni also awarded it 96 points, calling it a "rich, heady wine" with "gorgeous density and power." He appreciated the "lemon peel, white flowers, white pepper and chalk" as beautifully delineated elements contributing to its "freshness and verve" (Vinous).
Overall, the 2009 Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis Blanc de Blancs is highly praised for its complexity, freshness, and balanced profile, making it a standout Champagne from the 2009 vintage.