Billecart-Salmon Le Rose 2015 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
The 2015 vintage of Billecart-Salmon Le Rosé draws from a mosaic of premier and grand cru parcels across the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne—each contributing a distinct layer to the wine’s architecture. The chalk-dominant soils typical of the Côte des Blancs lend piercing minerality and aromatic lift, while the more clay-limestone slopes of the Montagne de Reims contribute depth, red-fruited weight, and structural tension. The warm, sun-drenched 2015 growing season produced ripe, concentrated fruit, yet the house’s commitment to early morning harvesting and strict grape selection preserved acidity and purity. The interplay of warm-year opulence and chalk-driven finesse defines this wine: shimmering, polished, and deeply evocative of its terroir.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Billecart-Salmon follows its hallmark “cold vinification” method here, fermenting at low temperatures to protect delicate aromatics and to enhance textural finesse. The blend typically balances Chardonnay’s tension with Pinot Noir’s structure and a smaller proportion of Meunier for mid-palate charm—though it remains Chardonnay-forward compared to many rosé Champagnes. A precise portion of still Pinot Noir from Billecart’s dedicated red wine parcels is incorporated to achieve both color and aromatic complexity. The wine then undergoes long lees aging in the bottle—often six years or more—resulting in fine autolytic development, refined mousse, and integrated complexity. Dosage is calibrated for the vintage and style, maintaining vibrancy while supporting the richness that 2015 naturally provides. The craftsmanship here is meticulous, resulting in a rosé Champagne of exceptional poise and longevity.

Tasting Notes
The 2015 Le Rosé opens with a radiant salmon-pink hue and a fine, persistent bead. Aromatically it is both delicate and expansive: wild strawberry, blood orange zest, raspberry coulis, and young cherry mingle with rose petal, chalk dust, and a whisper of white almond. With air, deeper tones emerge—pomegranate, red currant, subtle brioche, and faint spice. The palate delivers the signature Billecart clarity: crystalline, energetic, and beautifully lifted, yet supported by the warm vintage’s broader shoulders. Silky red fruits glide across the palate, joined by stone fruit, citrus peel, and a beautifully clean mineral line that tightens the finish. The texture is satiny, almost weightless, but layered with nuance and persistence. The finish is long, pure, and quietly luxurious, leaving impressions of crushed berries, chalk, and a touch of savory tension.

Food Pairing & Service
This Champagne shines with refined, texturally sensitive dishes that allow its precision and red-fruit elegance to lead. Ideal pairings include tuna crudo with citrus and olive oil, poached lobster with herbs, salmon tartare, duck breast with pomegranate glaze, or lightly truffled risotto. It also complements creamy cheeses such as Brillat-Savarin or Chaource, whose richness is balanced by the wine’s bright acidity. Serve at 46–50°F in a white wine glass rather than a flute to highlight its aromatic complexity and layered structure. Though already expressive, the 2015 Le Rosé will continue to evolve beautifully over the next decade, gaining depth, spice, and textural richness with further bottle age.