In 1988, Billecart-Salmon developed "Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon," a vintage-dated, limited-production tête de cuvée rosé Champagne to honor the firm's legendary co-founder, Elisabeth Salmon-- thus, one of Champagne's greatest stars was born. Cuvée Elisabeth is an assemblage of 55% Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chouilly, Avize, Mesnil, Cramant) and 45% Grand Cru and 1er Cru Pinot Noir (Aÿ, Ambonnay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. A little less than 10% of the Pinot Noir in the blend is red wine from 80-year-old vines sourced from the maison's tiny Valofroy plot (situated facing to the south next to the famed Clos des Goisses) which gives the rosé its color, vinosity and haunting red berry and floral aromatics. Approximately 3% of the blend was vinified in oak casks to add a bit of texture. After blending and bottling it rested on the lees for nearly a decade, before finally being disgorged early in 2023 with an extra brut dosage of 3.8 grams per liter. The unusually cool 2012 Champagne growing season produced a small harvest of classically configured high-quality Champagnes that are built to go the distance. "Cuvée Elizabeth" is, by all accounts, one of the very top performers of the vintage, as these critical raves (below) attest.
Normally we are happy to receive an "eye-dropper" allocation of "Cuvée Elisabeth" so you can imagine that we were very much "over the moon" when we were able to find a substantial parcel of this unicorn at an almost too-good-to-be-true price. If there ever was a time to experience one of Champagne's most iconic roses, that time is now. Please note that this sale pricing is good only through December 31st, or while supplies last.
JAMES SUCKLING 97 POINTS - "This has a lovely copper color with aromas of cloves, spiced apples, raspberries, gingerbread and pastries. Delicious yeasty and spicy undertones. Excellent density and focus, with fine and firm bubbles, yet it's light on its feet and so fresh. Long, chalky and salty at the end. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 3.8g/L dosage. Drink or hold."
VINOUS 96 POINTS - "The 2012 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon offers up hints of red berry fruit, ginger, spice, rosewater, mint and crushed flowers. There is a feeling of classic austerity that runs through the 2012. I would prefer to cellar this for at least a few years, as it is quite reticent at this stage. Chalk, mint, white pepper and bright saline accents linger on the pointed finish. Dosage is 3.8 grams per liter. Disgorged: first trimester 2023."
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Sleek and elegant, with a seamless knit, this is finely textured, with the raw silk-like mousse carrying flavors of peach skin, white cherry and toast point that show hints of white blossoms, pickled ginger and oyster shell through the lasting finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged winter-spring 2023 ... Drink now through 2035."
Normally we are happy to receive an "eye-dropper" allocation of "Cuvée Elisabeth" so you can imagine that we were very much "over the moon" when we were able to find a substantial parcel of this unicorn at an almost too-good-to-be-true price. If there ever was a time to experience one of Champagne's most iconic roses, that time is now. Please note that this sale pricing is good only through December 31st, or while supplies last.
JAMES SUCKLING 97 POINTS - "This has a lovely copper color with aromas of cloves, spiced apples, raspberries, gingerbread and pastries. Delicious yeasty and spicy undertones. Excellent density and focus, with fine and firm bubbles, yet it's light on its feet and so fresh. Long, chalky and salty at the end. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 3.8g/L dosage. Drink or hold."
VINOUS 96 POINTS - "The 2012 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon offers up hints of red berry fruit, ginger, spice, rosewater, mint and crushed flowers. There is a feeling of classic austerity that runs through the 2012. I would prefer to cellar this for at least a few years, as it is quite reticent at this stage. Chalk, mint, white pepper and bright saline accents linger on the pointed finish. Dosage is 3.8 grams per liter. Disgorged: first trimester 2023."
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Sleek and elegant, with a seamless knit, this is finely textured, with the raw silk-like mousse carrying flavors of peach skin, white cherry and toast point that show hints of white blossoms, pickled ginger and oyster shell through the lasting finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged winter-spring 2023 ... Drink now through 2035."
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