Billecart-Salmon Vintage 2013 75cl

Billecart-Salmon have been at Mareuil-sur-Aÿ since 1818 and remain in family hands, which is rare in Champagne now. The house style is built on cold, slow fermentation and long lees ageing, and it shows: everything they make is precise rather than powerful. A vintage is only declared in years worth it, and 2013 was late, cool and slow to ripen, which gave unusually high acidity and long ageing potential. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, taut and chalky, with citrus, white peach, toasted brioche and a fine, persistent mousse.