Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart Brut 2012
£180.50 (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / North Ireland
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Billecart-Salmon’s 2012 Nicolas François marks the first release since 2008 and stands as another success. The fundamentals remain unchanged; settling and fermentation at low temperatures, a small proportion vinified in oak barrels and partial malolactic fermentation (20% was blocked in 2012). This vintage was characterized by a prolonged flowering period, significant rainfall and mildew pressure, resulting in a small crop. The harvest of fruit, which contributed to this cuvée, took place between September 17 and 22. 'It was crucial to select only the ripest fruit, as maturation varied significantly between plots,' explains Billecart’s head winemaker, Florent Nys. But what of the wine itself? Disgorged in May 2023 with a dosage of 3.8 grams per liter, it exudes aromas of candied lemon, honeysuckle and ripe peach, mingling with nuances of beeswax and orange zest. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, boasting a layered, concentrated core, a chalky structure and mouthwatering acidity, despite the warm vintage. It concludes with a persistent, saline finish, hinting at the savory complexity that has emerged with such notable bottle age. Compared to the 2008, which remains tightly coiled, the 2012 is broader-shouldered and more demonstrative.
Features
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.5%
Grapes
Serving
Between 8ºC and 10ºC
Winemaking
Partial alcoholic fermentation (20%) in barrels. Minimum ageing of 10 years in bottle before disgorgement.
Shipping to North Ireland
50% discount on orders over £348.78Estimated transit time: 4-5 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over £348.78 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | £11.25 | £5.62 (-£5.62) |
| 7-12 | £15.26 | £7.63 (-£7.63) |
| 13-18 | £21.36 | £10.68 (-£10.68) |
| 19-24 | £29.21 | £14.60 (-£14.60) |
| 25-30 | £33.92 | £16.96 (-£16.96) |
| 31-36 | £37.93 | £18.96 (-£18.96) |
| 37-42 | £45.78 | £22.89 (-£22.89) |
| 43-48 | £50.14 | £25.07 (-£25.07) |
| 49-54 | £56.63 | £28.32 (-£28.32) |
| 55-60 | £60.86 | £30.43 (-£30.43) |
| VAT included | ||
Appellation Map
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart Brut 2012 Magnum
£378.84
Other sizes: 75 cl.
Billecart-Salmon Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009
£176.47
£167.67/ud (-5%)
Others: 2012 Magnum