CHAMPAGNE BILLECART-SALMON CLOS SAINT HILAIRE BRUT 2003

Rare and complex 

This Blanc de Noirs cuvée is vinified in oak casks, allowing

the richness of the terroir and the purity of the wine to express

itself. For this vintage, there is a limited release of between

1,000 individually numbered bottles, reserved for those very

special moments

A Legend is Born

"In the 1950s my grandmother set aside this park-like space

next to our house in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ with vines, flowers and

fruit trees, for our enjoyment. Realizing this outstanding

terroir's potential, my family decided to plant the first Pinot

Noir vines here in 1964. We tried using the Pinot Noir to

make white wine in small Burgundy barrels: an outstanding

champagne was about to be born. After several years of

painstakingly tending the vines, the 1995 harvest, the

first year of this unique cuvée, was remarkable. We called

it Le Clos Saint-Hilaire after the patron saint of the church

in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. No more than 3,500 to 7,500 bottles are

produced each year and each is individually numbered."

François Roland-Billecart, 6th Generation

The Parcel

The one-hectare Clos Saint-Hilaire meets the strictest

guidelines: a single enclosed, contiguous parcel with

complete winemaking facilities on site. The terroir's

magic combined with the wine maker's skills make

this wine exceptional.

Made only from Pinot Noir vinified in casks, it develops

an outstanding purity. Billecart-Salmon decided to add

very little liqueur, or dosage, after disgorgement in

order to let the typicality of the single grape used to

make this great wine evolve.

An indulged terroir

The Clos Saint-Hilaire is a single parcel where the

vines, soil and subsoil are carefully tended with respect

for the environment. Several years ago,

BILLECART-SALMON decided to return to ancestral

champagne-making methods in the Clos Saint-Hilaire

by using work horses.

This method of maintaining the soil and tending the

vines increases porosity and biodiversity: the roots

grow deep and the minerals they draw from the soil

foster the growth of smaller, more concentrated grapes,

revealing the terroir's typical flavor.

 

APPEARANCE

The distinctive character of a sunny year combined

with an early harvest has produced a very deep golden

yellow hue. A luminous radiance, with persistent,

ultra-fine bubbles.

PALATE

An ample texture with the patina of oak aging and

hints of yellow fruit in syrup (Williams pear and fresh

quince) and panettone. A richness overflowing with flavors

(roasted pineapple, puffed buckwheat and precious woods).

The generosity of this wine transports the finish to rooty,

mineral realms, with an attractive saline character.

 

AROMA

A noble, elegant expression and an extremely complex,

vinous impact on the nose (candied citrus fruit, crushed

hazelnut and almond, mild tobacco).
Develops with a resplendently honeyed expansiveness

featuring nuts and oriental spices.

TASTING

This rare vintage of unique, monumental character

will consist of no more than 1000 bottles.

When served at cellar temperature (12/14°), this

microcuvée will surprise your palate when served

with a rodfished bass, shellfish and Ossetra caviar.

From Florent NYS, Billecart-Salmon’ chief winemaker.

• Made exclusively from a unique parcel of old Pinot

Noir vines from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ

• Dosage: 3.5 g/l

• 100% vinified in oak casks

• Aging on lees: 14 years

• Available formats: Bottle

• Only 1,000 individually numbered bottles available

• Aging potential: more than 10 years