For those that enjoy old champagne, this is what it’s all about. Amazing pop when I opened the extremely tight cork. Gentle stream of fine bubbles which held on to life for half an hour. There’s a distinct note of caramel which to some tasters resembled sherry but others attributed it to age rather than oxidation. While not the ultimate in complexity there are numerous flavors of yellow fruits. Acidity a trifle low perhaps but it’s still clinging to life. Very interesting.
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Lovely old Billecart-Salmon, mellow yet complex and interesting. Very faint mousse which lasted a few minutes. Hint of caramel but yellow fruit predominates. This seems like it will last but not improve. Very nice.
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The best experience yet from this exquisite, lively bubbly. Remarkable amount of mousse. Yellow, no gold. The perfect junction of old and secondary and aged complexity. Real blancs de blancs character. Yellow fruits, almost peachy in the upper register. Wonderful finish. Provenance is crucial with champagne and someone took very good care of this bottle (AMC live auction).
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Craft Bar (Flatiron, NYC): Pale gold. Absolutely textbook B-S/'82 nose shows ripeness, stone, and dust; nutmeg and some appropriate oxidation reminiscent of hazelnuts and caramel (h/t Seth); spices and cream; but not overdone, lean and classic. The palate is fucking delicious! Incredibly finely textured, soft mousse. There's definitely a note of sherry in a fine, lovely register -- fruit shows more on the long, long finish. Freaking wonderful. Now, with air, the nose is full of 'Nilla Wafers; maybe a little botrytis?; some fennel. Wonderful wine and skirting perfection for what it is. (Thanks, Sarah)
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Brought by Sarah. Medium yellow-gold. Very brioche and spicy pastry on nose, with soft yeast. Very creamy as well. (Matt says Nilla wafers). Green apple and hazelnuts and caramel. Just gorgeous - really racy and lively on the palate. Crisp bubbles. Very crunchy with green apples, yeast and a touch of cider. Finish of creamy brioche, lemon and hazelnut. Consistent throughout, very solid. Perfumed, complex and fabulous. Thanks Sarah! Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5.5/6, Finish - 5.5/6, Je Ne Sais Quoi - 1.5/2 = 18/20.
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Medium dark gold, delicate spray of pinpoint bubbles, gorgeous aroma - almond paste, hint of vanilla, hint of sherry, very interesting, winey like an old white Burgundy. Seems to gain energy with time in glass, integrates, magically gets more fresh with time, best when cool, not cold.
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Can a champagne in a delicate style last for 28 years? You betcha. Medium light gold, some foam in the glass when poured slowly, several beads in the flute. The bubbles decreased in size after an hour as the bottle warmed which I have never seen before. Distictive, ever so slightly oxidized nose of light caramel, sherry and brown apple. It held up very well and even improved over a couple of hours.
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11/26/2019 - sdr Likes this wine: 92 Points
For those that enjoy old champagne, this is what it’s all about. Amazing pop when I opened the extremely tight cork. Gentle stream of fine bubbles which held on to life for half an hour. There’s a distinct note of caramel which to some tasters resembled sherry but others attributed it to age rather than oxidation. While not the ultimate in complexity there are numerous flavors of yellow fruits. Acidity a trifle low perhaps but it’s still clinging to life. Very interesting.
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1/18/2017 - sdr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely old Billecart-Salmon, mellow yet complex and interesting. Very faint mousse which lasted a few minutes. Hint of caramel but yellow fruit predominates. This seems like it will last but not improve. Very nice.
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4/5/2014 - Ben F Likes this wine: 95 Points
From magnum. Opened for daughter's first birthday at Jado Sushi, Harlem NYC.
Brilliant mature BdB champagne, with Billecart-Salmon's signature elegance and precision framing the fully mature chardonnay fruit. Wish I had more.
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2/5/2014 - sdr Likes this wine: 95 Points
The best experience yet from this exquisite, lively bubbly. Remarkable amount of mousse. Yellow, no gold. The perfect junction of old and secondary and aged complexity. Real blancs de blancs character. Yellow fruits, almost peachy in the upper register. Wonderful finish. Provenance is crucial with champagne and someone took very good care of this bottle (AMC live auction).
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1/21/2014 - rnellans wrote: 95 Points
yellow gold. Toast, spice, citrus, pear aromas. Good acidity and balance. Lovely.
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8/21/2012 - Matt Neel Likes this wine:
Craft Bar (Flatiron, NYC): Pale gold. Absolutely textbook B-S/'82 nose shows ripeness, stone, and dust; nutmeg and some appropriate oxidation reminiscent of hazelnuts and caramel (h/t Seth); spices and cream; but not overdone, lean and classic. The palate is fucking delicious! Incredibly finely textured, soft mousse. There's definitely a note of sherry in a fine, lovely register -- fruit shows more on the long, long finish. Freaking wonderful. Now, with air, the nose is full of 'Nilla Wafers; maybe a little botrytis?; some fennel. Wonderful wine and skirting perfection for what it is. (Thanks, Sarah)
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8/21/2012 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 96 Points
Brought by Sarah. Medium yellow-gold. Very brioche and spicy pastry on nose, with soft yeast. Very creamy as well. (Matt says Nilla wafers). Green apple and hazelnuts and caramel. Just gorgeous - really racy and lively on the palate. Crisp bubbles. Very crunchy with green apples, yeast and a touch of cider. Finish of creamy brioche, lemon and hazelnut. Consistent throughout, very solid. Perfumed, complex and fabulous. Thanks Sarah! Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5.5/6, Finish - 5.5/6, Je Ne Sais Quoi - 1.5/2 = 18/20.
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8/27/2011 - sdr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not quite as good this time. Great color and mousse as usual. But one dimensioal, although it did improve after after a couple of hours.
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11/23/2010 - ricknat1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Champagne and Chambertin (Marea in New york): Even younger than the 76 DP, fresh, kind of skunky on the nose, but not in the mouth
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11/6/2010 - sdr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium dark gold, delicate spray of pinpoint bubbles, gorgeous aroma - almond paste, hint of vanilla, hint of sherry, very interesting, winey like an old white Burgundy. Seems to gain energy with time in glass, integrates, magically gets more fresh with time, best when cool, not cold.
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3/28/2010 - 60ouvrees wrote:
Its best years are behind it but this is still showing quite well.
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3/20/2010 - sdr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Can a champagne in a delicate style last for 28 years? You betcha. Medium light gold, some foam in the glass when poured slowly, several beads in the flute. The bubbles decreased in size after an hour as the bottle warmed which I have never seen before. Distictive, ever so slightly oxidized nose of light caramel, sherry and brown apple. It held up very well and even improved over a couple of hours.
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