2012 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Louis, Blanc de Blancs, Brut

The Louis Blanc de Blancs is stunning this year. A quintessential Chardonnay from an exceptional vintage in Champagne, the nose is elegantly floral with a touch of hazelnut and brioche toast. A source of true aromatic complexity, there is an impressive array on the nose– lemon zest, almonds, white flowers and savoury spice.

It feels rich and the palate is laden with baked goods and ripe orchard fruit yet there is a precision that pierces through these flavours and an impeccable freshness that balances the richness out. A creamy mousse and a hint of chalkiness rounds out the structure. There is no doubt that despite the initial struggles of the 2012 vintage, it is proving, once again, to make excellent Champagne and in particular blanc de blancs. There is a long future ahead for this wine and I expect it to be drinking well into the 2030s.

Drink 2025 - 2038

Henrietta Gullifer, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd