Billecart-Salmon "Le Rendez-Vous" Pinot Meunier Extra Brut #1 Champagne

This is a reassuringly grande marque-style Meunier, with a silken richness and texture on the palate that is truly lovely. Although Billecart is based in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the fruit for this one-off cuvée was sourced from Leuvrigny, Festigny, and Venteuil. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel and blended with 33% reserve wine before aging 52 months and being finished with a 4.5g/l dosage. The result has pleasant aromas of elderflower, ripe apricot, and almond, although there is little overt fruitiness but rather a soft toasty note and a velvety density on the palate. (CC)

Billecart's first rendition of 100% Pinot Meunier from 3 grand cru sites, Leuvrigny, Festigny and Venteuil in the Marne Valley is a show stopper. The florals alone is enough to draw in ones curiosity and intrigue. There is a familiar fragrance of proofing yeast, shaved ginger and Indian spices. The delicate flavors of citron, pomelo, D'Anjou pear, mineral salt and sweet/fruity olive oil leaves a fascinating finish in the mouthfeel. Fine bubbles dance on the palate and a low dosage of 4.5 g/l is my kind of Champagne. This can age for 5 years but I endorse to enjoy this now, there is not much out there.