Vintage1996
TypeWhite - Sparkling
ProducerBillecart-Salmon (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardLe Clos Saint-Hilaire
CountryFrance
RegionChampagne
SubRegionn/a
AppellationChampagne

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2010 and 2028 (based on 6 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Billecart Salmon Clos St. Hilaire on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 94 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 73 notes)

 Tasted by jshufelt on 12/31/2023 & rated 93 points: On the nose, fresh cut apples and sherry. In the glass, somewhere between clear gold and caramel, with mousse that disappears almost immediately in the glass, and very little in the way of bubbles, although the carbonation remains. On the palate, an interesting hybrid of citrus, green apple, and madeira - no question this is on the downward side of its aging curve, but it's interesting to capture the champagne at this stage, while there is still that last bit of life and energy. Time to drink up. Happy New Year! (239 views)
 Tasted by hargy on 12/3/2023 & rated 91 points: this was a dark yellow verging on oxidised on opening so fully mature, if not in decline - the mousse is all but gone with very gentle bubbles - still quite delicious with the breadiness in check (315 views)
 Tasted by Benoit Hardy on 8/6/2023 & rated 95 points: Massive nose, vinous, brioche with a touch of apricot.

Mouth of great maturity, with a frank attack with an extremely dense juice carried by a lively and integrated acidity. The wine is spicy, with roasted aromas, it is a perfect table companion because it responds perfectly to the dish. Aeration was beneficial to give it all its amplitude and structure with a second part on black fruits and an oxidative touch. Everything is perfectly integrated in this wine which loosens up intensely. Majestic finish on spices, on an important length.

Excellent, but to drink at the table to appreciate all its facets. (582 views)
 Tasted by jhngo on 12/17/2022 flawed bottle: Cooked (948 views)
 Tasted by BradE on 11/7/2022: La Tache in Atlanta: Candy, cloying, sweet. Not my cup of tea. (1324 views)
 Tasted by shifter on 11/4/2022: La Tache and '96 Champagne (Atlanta): Cloying sweetness. Good on its own, which is great that we started with it. Hard to pair with food, but enjoyable to drink (1298 views)
 Tasted by bill00 on 1/9/2021 & rated 92 points: Typical '96 with really intense, ripe fruit and tons of acid. The parts are impressive and while it's not really disjointed it also doesn't fully come together in an integrated, harmonious way. Still quite good though. (2693 views)
 Tasted by Ltim BE on 12/27/2020 & rated 95 points: Brilliant showing today. At its peak, complex, mature, stunning complexity. A real treat. (2308 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 11/22/2020 & rated 96 points: As usual, this sparkler comes out with rich, ripe fruit and an attractive mousse. The old vines character can seem a touch over-ripe at first. However, after about an hour of air this wine firms up and becomes a powerful mouthful of integrated fruit, acidity, and chalky mineral notes. The length is astounding!

When this wine is on, it is outstanding. If the storage conditions were less than ideal it can show a bit tired. While this wine will not get better with age, it is top notch right now! (2216 views)
 Tasted by WIBA on 10/10/2020 & rated 93 points: beautiful acidity and elegance. so clean. (1992 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 7/25/2020 & rated 96 points: Clearly, there is some bottle variation with this wine. This bottle had a deep yellow center and clear rims. It had a solid mousse.

After an hour of air, this wine blossomed substantially. The medium+ nose showed lemon souffle, white stone, brioche, and just a hint of apricot.

This bottle showed absolutely none of the over-ripeness that the last couple bottles showed. It was rock solid, crisp, and very long.

This bottle would easily have lasted 5 years. Outstanding! (2372 views)
 Tasted by MC2 Wines on 7/10/2020: I'll say I like it, but when you factor in QPR, I'm not 100% sure. Now some of that is this was pretty tight and not really showing very much. We drank it over the course of a few hours and I let some sit in a glass for awhile hoping that it would give a bit more and it stayed more on the quiet side through the whole night which sometimes happens with PN and while the wine has age, I'd argue you could say 96's can still drink quite young. So perhaps that's what this was. But for the normal spicy and herbal and complex PN that I like it wasn't there and for the price tag I was hoping it would be. SO live and learn. (1142 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 6/7/2020 & rated 95 points: This wine had a light gold center and an excellent mousse. The medium intensity nose offered up orchard fruit, lemons, brioche, and minerals.

I the mouth, this wine was clearly picked very ripe from old vines. It was rich with great acidity and a lovely mousse. These elements all supported each other well.

It was not as balanced as some champagne because of its extreme ripeness. I enjoyed it immensely but it may not be for everybody. In any event, this wine is not getting better so drink up. (1284 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 5/24/2020 & rated 95 points: Again a bottle that tasted different but again, pretty spectacular. This wine has a medium yellow center with a nice mousse. The medium intensity nose focused on white minerals, brioche, lemon, and some dried fruit.

In the mouth, this wine was nice at first but certainly improved with air. It did not show the super-ripeness of the last bottle nor the blazing acidity of the first bottle. It was complex and gorgeously balanced with excellent length.

This bottle was comfortably in the zone with about 30-60 minutes of air. I would have like to have seen a bit more acidity to merit a higher score. But even without this my score was verging on 96. (1277 views)
 Tasted by Jammy Wine on 5/14/2020 & rated 92 points: Le Clos Saint Hilaire is Billecart Salmon’s cuvée prestige. A 1 hectare vineyard in Mareuil-Sur-Ay, 100% Pinot Noir. Tasted blind - Impressive ripeness and body. Bright orchard fruits, apricot and ripe red berries of Pinot Noir fruits. Full bodied with great acidity and ripeness. Maturing fruits and slight savoury note reminds me of a ripe vintage champagne from the 90s. Good tension. Clos de Goisses? 1996? (92/100) (1752 views)
 Tasted by Markus IWC on 2/21/2020 & rated 94 points: Alex Billecart tasting wine #5:

Dark golden, slightly red tone.

Fresh nose with red berries, chocolate, mint, tropcial fruit (litchi), mature peach and floral nortes. Developed and complex.

Round and smooth on the palate, red berries, nice fruit, high acidity, nice balance, deep, complex, long finish. 94p

BV 3
WV 2 (1284 views)
 Tasted by Elvis1969 on 2/21/2020 & rated 93 points: Honung på näsan, kolapaj, pigg mousse, kraftig, bred i munnen, torr. Häftigt vin! (1380 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 12/14/2019 & rated 95 points: This bottle was from a different source than the last bottle. This wine had a deep yellow/gold center and a lovely mousse. The nose was light at fist but grew dramatically with an hour of air.

In the mouth, this wine was somewhat over-ripe/oxidized with some length. After an hour the wine became fresher with crisp acidity and huge length.

This Champagne has old vine intensity and certainly needed air to show well. A special wine. (1389 views)
 Tasted by hprphf on 12/6/2019 & rated 94 points: Zachy's BYO 2019: Really nice Champagne, crispy clean acidity, deep structure and great balance. Holds up after a night of great wines. 94 (1564 views)
 Tasted by Argrath on 10/11/2019 & rated 96 points: (Blind tasting)
Full, rich, complex and developed nose. Fully ready. Both fruity and flowery with nice tertiary mushroom notes. Nuanced apple, spice and liquorice depths.
Full, and properly austere palate. Very dry. Mature. Very good grip and very high acidity. Grape fruit, spice and chocolate. After time in glass, some hints of sherry.
I tasted this in 2012 and thought it shy then. It certainly had opened up. This is splendid now, but I think the fruit will reside and all that will be left behind is the 1996-acidity and mature mushroom/sherry notes. (823 views)
 Tasted by dream on 6/12/2019 & rated 94 points: Slightly oxidized flavors but still fresh with strong acidity and fizz. Excellent intensity with flavors of brioche, citrus and mint which lead to a very complex finish with notes of copper minerals and exotic spices. Delicious champagne at the height of its powers. (1692 views)
 Tasted by jshufelt on 12/31/2018 & rated 92 points: Compared to the bottle we had three years ago, this was quite a bit more evolved - still dominated by apples, but now noticeable notes of aging/oxidation are in the mix. Could just be bottle variation. (1800 views)
 Tasted by MikeATL on 8/4/2018 & rated 92 points: A little caramel and nuttiness, apple, bracing acidity on the back. (1832 views)
 Tasted by fclarity on 6/30/2018 & rated 96 points: This Champagne was in perfect condition and had a deep yellow center and small tight bubbles. The low+ intensity nose showed pear, minerals, and quince. It did not change much during the 90 minutes this wine was open.

In the mouth, this Champagne was a revelation. It’s small precise bubbles, integrated with its fruit, minerals, and piercing acidity, created an amazing impact on the palate. It had somewhat subtle but staggering length.

While the color of this Champagne said it was mature, the flavor profile suggested it was young. I believe the reality is that it is drinking now but will last, and maybe even improve, for a couple decades. Very impressive! (2340 views)
 Tasted by fatboi on 5/23/2018 & rated 94 points: Might be the best one I've had yet. Not an over powering wine but approachable at first pour. Continues to show tons of green apple and pear. For the first time I noticed the red taste from the meunier. Very good (2498 views)
 Tasted by mr_swirl on 4/24/2018 & rated 95 points: Very impressive and unusual champagne. Pink gold nuances. 15Y on lees. No dosage, but elegant complex and rich. Fine roast and nut aromas, spices, truffle, honey. Very pure. The blanc de noirs adds a lot of character, but there is a nice fresh acidic lift. To be enjoyed with food. I love the depth this champagne has but it is not overpowered by richness or minerality, it has the elegance ... (1391 views)
 Tasted by PanosKakaviatos on 1/30/2018 & rated 95 points: Fireworks for January: plethora of top wines with great friends (Black Salt Restaurant, Washington D.C.): Wow! Really crisp and pure, lovely freshness, the color is far healthier than the Krug 1996, but let us get beyond comparing a faulty bottle with a healthy one. Apple and citron, precise. Delicious. Very fresh, and the best Billecart Salmon I can recall ever enjoying. Including their rosé bubblies. Thanks to David Zimmerman for this. Rivals the Salon 1996 - coming later - for precision, even if it cannot match it for density. (3119 views)
 Tasted by acyso on 10/23/2017 & rated 90 points: Elisabeth Salmon dinner at S.K.Y. (Chicago, IL): Next to some of the other 96s we had tonight, I felt this was a fairly weak wine. It's mostly a story of the screaming 1996 acidity, and until I looked it up later, I would have been easily convinced that this was a blanc de blancs. Shows much too thin, sharp, and acidic for easy enjoyment, though that's not to say it's a bad wine. We'll see if this ever comes around (I'm not super optimistic). (3221 views)
 Tasted by Markus IWC on 3/9/2017 & rated 98 points: Champagne 96 tasting, wine nr7. Best votes (3), Worst votes (1) out of 13. My best vote. Golden color, massive nose with exotic ripe fruit, roasted nuts, brioche, crackers, mature apples and wet minerals. Mature mouthfeel but still a nice freshness and crispy acidity. Elegant mouthfeel with pears, grilled lemon, apricots, wood, roasted nuts and hints of white cheese. 100% PN. 98p (844 views)
 Tasted by fatboi on 12/11/2016 & rated 93 points: A lively bottle. Showing lots of pears and apples. quite opulent and fresh. (3390 views)
 Tasted by sdr on 11/2/2016 & rated 90 points: Yes, I do like it - but so far it just doesn't deliver the intensity and distinctiveness I want. Just mild aroma and taste of Pinot Noir, pleasant but simple and not memorable. Perhaps it just needs more time. (3033 views)
 Tasted by Kefrens on 10/2/2016 & rated 97 points: Grande Finesse. Traçant. Vineux. Explosif en bouche. Sublime. Puissance énorme. Peu passer encore quelques années en cave.
Ma plus belle expérience de champagne.
Accord avec champignon : un délice. (2978 views)
 Tasted by Collector1855 on 6/27/2016 & rated 96 points: Champagne - 100 Vintage and NV Champagne; 12/15/2015-12/15/2020: During a tasting lunch. Complex nose of apple, flowers yeast, very young and fresh for a 20 year old bottle. Enters the palate lively and bubbly, classic and refined. Good freshness and finish. (5709 views)
 Tasted by andrewstevenson.com on 6/10/2016 & rated 90 points: Wine-pages Glasgow Festival of Wine Pre Offline (Cail Bruich, Glasgow): Very precise. Huge acidity. Lovely white pepper spice. Touch of red fruit richness - presumably pinot dominated?
Lovely stuff, but it's just not thrilling me. (3356 views)
 Tasted by fcxj on 3/30/2016 & rated 90 points: Pinot richness really apparent, but retains good acidity. (2560 views)
 Tasted by aquacongas on 2/8/2016 & rated 96 points: The Ultimative 1996 Champagne Tasting with Richard Juhlin (Behrens am Kai in Düsseldorf 1 star restaurant): Sharp crispy acidity, citrus, very young, granny smith meets chocolate, long finish 95(97) (4604 views)
 Tasted by Eric Guido on 12/24/2015 & rated 95 points: The nose is incredibly rich, showing pear, ginger, roasted nuts, raw dough, dusty dried floral tones and the slightest hint of lime. On the palate, it displayed silky-soft textures with giving way to stone fruit and minerals up front, then to hints of citrus and a revitalizing note of acidity. Minerals resonated on the finish, along with hints of apple and pear. It truly makes its presence known. (3146 views)
 Tasted by jshufelt on 12/5/2015 & rated 93 points: In the glass, clear and deep gold with very fine bubbles. On the nose, dominated by crushed apples, with a very faint note of strawberry. On the palate, relatively primary, with apples and a full-bodied yeasty palate, but not yielding much else over the course of a couple of hours. A refined and elegant texture makes me think the best days for this are still years away. (2284 views)
 Tasted by fatboi on 11/13/2015 & rated 94 points: was in a very good place. Apples and pears. well balanced. Drinking well now (2444 views)
 Tasted by sdr on 10/24/2015 & rated 90 points: This is good champagne but not great champagne. It's pale and lively with a distinctive pleasant light hazelnut pinot aroma. On the palate, it is medium bodied with notes of bread and nuts. Not very complex. Is this Clos really distinctive enough to justify a special bottling? (2291 views)
 Tasted by Pacalet on 3/25/2015 & rated 94 points: Very fresh toasty nose with peach and citrus fruit. Palate is lush and quite big which reminds you it is a pinot noir champ, yet the acidity reminds you that it is from 96 which balances out the big body. Still an infant, a glorious child, will be wonderful with much more cellar age. Greatness in the making. (3124 views)
 Tasted by Rezy13 on 10/18/2013 & rated 94 points: Sloppy Seconds Mondo Tasting (Bin 75): Golden yellow, larger bubbles, lingering mousse; nutty, red apple, green fruit, tart,; rich and luxurious, good acid, some aged notes, almond, long finish, chalk and yeast on the finish; phenomenal but it never evolved with extended airtime; a brick house of a champagne. (6667 views)
 Tasted by Tavastgatan on 3/30/2013 & rated 93 points: Bone dry and quite developed. Not really my style, too lille fruit for me. Was expecting more. Still a fine Champagne. (5757 views)
 Tasted by St Paul on 3/29/2013 & rated 93 points: Long time since I had these bubbles and from being sharp and closed it now was almost fully developed. Hard to say if it is a phase. There are many 96´s going this direction right now. There are some being extremely sharp and complex but a lot are falling apart. Is it just a phase? Time will tell. (5852 views)
 Tasted by Argrath on 11/24/2012 & rated 91 points: Very delicate, tender and subtly complex nose. Just about ripe apples, lightly yeasty, notes of flowers, apricots and some aniseed.
Harmonius taste. Round, quite full body. Very pure and elegant. Good grip. Ripe apple and yeast, but not a blockbuster. Still shy.
Tasted in a 1996 prestige tasting, this came out as too shy and subtle to make any lasting impressions. I lacked the secondary aromas - maybe you'll have to wait 25-30 years for them? (4032 views)
 Tasted by Ramberg on 7/26/2012 & rated 95 points: Lovely, beautiful mature Champagne.
This bottle was like a flawless diamond, complex, with layers of fruit and taste and nose…
Great Champagne that will keep much longer still. (6540 views)
 Tasted by christopher wish on 10/18/2011: not sure how to judge this bottle. totally hyper active bubbles with massive fresh ripe berry fruits in your face.
there is nothing shy about this wine. after 6 hours it had not settled down. if you like this style it is amazing.
for me, i prefer a more well rounded and balanced champagne. as for the price it is kind of silly (5493 views)
 Tasted by Jossik on 9/2/2011 & rated 87 points: diversissimo dagli altri bevuti, molto immediato di mela e terrosità, bocca altamente bevibile, non ha note vinose, complesse o strutturate (5085 views)
 Tasted by Le Musigny on 8/9/2011: Very fresh with good exotic fruit and in a fairly primary place. (4366 views)
 Tasted by Le Musigny on 3/29/2011: Outstanding bottle with good fruit (red) and , minerality, with good structure and acidity. (4678 views)
 Tasted by sdr on 12/5/2010 & rated 92 points: While not quite as spectacular as before, this is still outstanding. The aroma of dark fruit, raisin and fig is immediately forthcoming. Not quite as full in the palate, though. Could it be losing fruit as Brad Baker suggests? This wine needs close monitoring but for now, it's still wonderful. (4532 views)
 Tasted by Le Musigny on 11/29/2010: Drinking really well at the moment but still very primary. This needs to settle down and develop secondary flavors although its fun to drink now. Citrus and floral flavors with a lot of acidity. (4570 views)
 Tasted by typh on 7/31/2010 & rated 96 points: As fresh as the day it was bottled. Lots of body and acidity. Alot of power and structure. If the Salon is the girl you take to the royal ballet, the St Hilaire is the one you take to the after party. You wont be disappointed. (4825 views)
 Tasted by sdr on 4/17/2010: Radically different than the bottle 18 months ago. Vigorous, frothy, pale; it certainly looks healthy. But extremely thin and austere on the plate. Where is the fruit? (4946 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 4/14/2010 flawed bottle: Nothing like last week's bottle. Brought to Acker auction at Cru - just sour and bitter, devoid of any fruit. Unfortunately just like the bottle I brought with me to LA in November. Sounds like 'sdr' had the same issue. (5354 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 4/5/2010 & rated 97 points: Nothing new to say - great as always. (5433 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 1/7/2010 & rated 98 points: This was just on fire, over the top tonight. Sushi night - great nose of brioche, oyster, mushroom, flint, strawberry and touch of oxidation. Palate had fresh strawberries, bit of caramel, sour cherry finish. The acidity was long, but not harsh - amazing. It is such a great drinker now that I am afraid to age them. How much better can it get. (5486 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 12/8/2009 & rated 90 points: Brought to the Beckwith's residence for Grand Cru's Champagne Holiday Party. Good, but not showing as it should. (5254 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 11/7/2009 flawed bottle: Dinner with Bipin, Francois, Gary and Tom at Chinois in Santa Monica - everyone brought a great bottle, except me - mine was oxidized. Gary's 86 Krug Mesnil was great but I felt Tom's '82 DP bested them all. (5217 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 10/24/2009 & rated 97 points: Brought to dinner at Element in Princeton - great again, just like the last bottle, creamy, brioche, oysters, white fruits, great mouthfeel and acidity. (5484 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 9/10/2009 & rated 97 points: Drank at Restaurant Laurent in Paris - Just like the last bottle, creamy, brioche, oysters, white fruits, great mouthfeel and acidity. It was also a great deal on the list, less than 2x US auction and cheaper than the Krug Grand Cuvee on their list. Perfect match with an all seafood meal. (5471 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 9/6/2009 & rated 97 points: Another great bottle of this Champagne. Brioche and caramel on nose with a touch of ocean breeze. Palate has the perfect amount of acidity, not overdone like a lot of '96's. The front palate has lemon and white peach, some oyster in the mid-palate, and finishes with a mild caramel. The texture of this wine is very creamy, but not cloying. Such a great drinking experience. Drank with clams and scallops and matched perfectly. (5479 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 7/21/2009 & rated 97 points: Nose was a bit muted, but the palate was great. Red apple, rhubarb, smoke, perfect acidity, big mouthfeel. Some sour cherries on the finish. (5566 views)
 Tasted by Cheryl on 6/12/2009: Phenomenal nose, bad palate. No. (5421 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 5/2/2009 & rated 95 points: The Big "Four-O": 40+ Wines for 40 Years: Similar, but not as good as the last time. Drank after the Krug Clos du Mesnil, so that may have had something to do with it. Yeast and caramel on the nose with white peaches, lemon and minerals on the palate. Good acidity, but very smooth. (8670 views)
 Tasted by JJL on 2/25/2009 & rated 97 points: Sushi night - that means Champagne. This follows on the heels of the '96 Salon last week. While the Salon (Blanc de Blancs) was all about green apples, the Billecart (Blanc de Noirs) was much more complex and open. The nose had just the right amount of yeast with a touch of caramel. The palate starts with walnuts then evolves to white peaches and finishes with lemon and minerals. The acidity is high, but no tartness at all. Lots of wonderful bubbles, but not even a touch of bubble burn. (5750 views)
 Tasted by sdr on 11/22/2008 & rated 98 points: This is the kind of wine that stops conversation and inspires awe. After hearing mixed reviews and seeing Juhlins' puzzling 85/94 rating I was extremely curious to try this soon-to-be-cult champagne. As splendid as Billecart-Salmon is throughout their range, especially the magnificent 1996 Grande Cuvee, this is better yet. The color is slightly dark with a brown hue. The pinpoint bubbles are infinite and there's quite a foam, but no sense of gassiness in the mouth. It's the aroma that is immediately and intensely captivating: brown butter, walnut, toffee, mochacchino, caramel; classic pinot noir (this is 100% PN). And once in the mouth, it's hard to swallow, the gustatory pleasure is so great. The flavor is as rich and dark as the nose suggests and the finish is long and beautiful. It's young of course, but much more open than many other '96s. There's plenty of bright acidity but the sheer weight of the fruit covers it, even in this youthful phase. An undeniable masterpiece. (6055 views)
 Tasted by Jossik on 11/7/2008 & rated 92 points: Molto carico, quasi pesante all'inizio, ma poi diventa molto molto buono (4997 views)
 Tasted by Keith Levenberg on 3/12/2008 & rated 90 points: Definitely a bling Champagne in every sense, this tastes palpably glitzy with its shimmering golden fruit whose gloss gives it a real sense of sweetness, even though it's apparently non-dosage. I wouldn't have guessed it was pure blanc de noirs either - it doesn't seem that bassy. (5908 views)
 Tasted by Hillbilly on 3/1/2008 & rated 95 points: Aggressive wild nose with floral notes, exotic spices, sea breeze and complexity. Expands on the palate with pretty balanced acidity, though a little bit aggressive. Some fruit and some slightly stoney nature too, but really still wild and exotic flavors. The wide ranging flavors keep it from becoming too strict. Solid finish. This is a unique flavor profile in this Champagne and very fresh. A fun wine to drink. Very good. Wild. (6307 views)

Professional 'Channels'
By Simon Field MW
Decanter, Le Clos Saint-Hilaire (10/27/2021)
(Billecart-Salmon, Le Clos Saint-Hilaire, Pinot Noir / Pinot Nero, Champagne, France, White) Subscribe to see review text.
By Alistair Cooper MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/27/2021)
(Billecart-Salmon, Le Clos St-Hilaire Brut Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text.
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 1996 Champagne – For The Ages (Oct 2014) (10/1/2014)
(Billecart-salmon Le Clos Saint-hilaire) Subscribe to see review text.
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Checking in on the 1996 Champagnes (Sep 2010)
(Billecart-salmon Le Clos Saint-hilaire) Subscribe to see review text.
By Brad Baker
Champagne Warrior, February 2010, Issue #5, Tasting Notes/Wine Reviews
(Billecart-Salmon Clos Saint-Hillaire) Login and sign up and see review text.
By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Happy Birthday Don (1/23/2009)
(Billecart Salmon Clos St. Hilaire) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Brad Baker
Champagne Warrior, January 2009, Issue #1, The Top 50 Champagnes of 1996
(Billecart-Salmon Clos Saint Hilaire) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, The 1996 Champagnes Revisited (Jan 2009)
(Billecart-salmon Clos Saint-hilaire) Subscribe to see review text.
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, New Releases from Champagne (Dec 2008)
(Billecart-salmon Clos Saint-hilaire) Subscribe to see review text.
By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, New Year's Eve 2007 (1/2/2008)
(Billecart Salmon Clos St. Hilaire) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Peter Liem
ChampagneGuide.net
(Billecart-Salmon Clos Saint-Hilaire Brut) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Champagne Warrior and Vintage Tastings and ChampagneGuide.net.

CellarTracker Wiki Articles

Billecart-Salmon

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Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

France

Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)

Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings

2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.com

Champagne

Le Champagne (Le comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) | Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne (Union des Maisons de Champagne)

France - When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of consistent quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.
Sub-Region:

Champagne - The French region of Champagne (including the cities of Rheims, Épernay, and Aÿ) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and wine-making traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range in sweetness ranging from an extra brut or brut 0, to the basic brut to demi sec to doux; some houses produce single vintage champagnes and others produce non-vintage (or incorporate wines/grapes of multiple vintages), often to preserve a specific taste; combinations of grape varietals; and colors, including a rosé. There are several sub-appellations, including the Valley of the Marnes river running from Épernay west, Massif de Saint-Thierry north and west of Rheims, Valley of the Ardre, the Mountains of Rheims (between Rheims and Épernay), Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and Côte des Bar in the South. Champagne wine only uses three grape varietals (cépages): Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Champagne

The vineyards of Champagne on weinlagen-info
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