The 2016 Billecart-Salmon Vintage Brut is a Champagne blend produced by the esteemed Billecart-Salmon winery in the Champagne region of France. This white wine is notable for its creative approach to dosage levels, with the 2016 vintage featuring just 1.9g/L. This decision is part of the house's ongoing efforts to adapt to challenging weather conditions, particularly those experienced in 2016.
One of the standout reviews comes from Decanter, which awarded the wine a score of 93. According to Decanter, the 2016 vintage "continues the house's drive to creatively lower dosage levels, coming in with just 1.9g/L in this year of extreme weather." The wine is described as showcasing "mature clementine and juicy apricot fruitiness, warmed up with ground nuts and fragrant raspberry." This flavor profile suggests a complex and layered wine that will appeal to those who enjoy a balance of fruitiness and nutty undertones.
Decanter also notes that the wine is "neat and slightly reticent on release," indicating that it may benefit from additional aging. "There is a subtle insistency here, and it will lengthen and unfurl with more time on cork," the review adds, suggesting that the wine's full potential will be realized in the coming years. The publication recommends that the 2016 vintage will be at its best from mid-2024 onwards.
This vintage is made entirely from grand cru fruit, with 25% of the blend vinified in small and large oak barrels. This method contributes to the wine's complexity and depth, enhancing its overall profile.
In summary, the 2016 Billecart-Salmon Vintage Brut is a finely crafted Champagne blend that has garnered high praise for its innovative approach and complex flavor profile. With a score of 93 from Decanter and recommendations for further aging, this wine is poised to impress both now and in the future.