Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve Extra Brut NV

Billecart-Salmon is one of the few Champagne houses still run by its founding family, unbroken since 1818. In Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Mathieu Roland-Billecart now leads the seventh generation. Le Réserve is the core cuvée, built from Meunier (43%), Chardonnay (29%) and Pinot Noir (28%) grown in the best sites around Épernay. Fermentation runs mostly cool in stainless steel, then the wine rests some 50 months on the lees, with over 50% reserve wines in the blend. Dosage sits near 3 g/l, so Extra Brut. Pale straw in the glass, a fine, lasting bead. The nose brings white stone fruit and fresh pear, with blossom and soft biscuit behind. Apple, crisp pear and citrus over a delicate texture, the finish long and mineral. Our aperitif for a full table, drink now through 2031.