Another all-star lineup awaits you and your tastebuds at this weekend's upcoming Champagne tasting, this time looking at the brilliance of Billecart-Salmon!
Running 12 to 2pm (Saturday 2nd), prepare to take one tasty trip across a stacked tasting table, all in the loving name of illuminating this legendary estate's impressive consistency and indelible style. Same as last week, it will kick off with four bubblies that are on pour completely free of charge, including the Brut Réserve, Brut Rosé, Brut Sous Bois, and Extra Brut from 2009! Then, for those of you keen to continue on, we have two very special bottles available to try for a $15 ticket price, these being the beautiful Louis Blanc de Blancs and Elisabeth Brut Rosé releases, both from the 2009 vintage ⭐️
Tickets are available at the counter on the day itself - we can't wait for yet another exciting day hearing all your thoughts and favourites, so take a step out of the summer heat this Saturday and grab a glass from host Brad from Domaine Wine Shippers, as he looks to reveal just what it is that makes this house so very special...
Free Tasting Lineup - Saturday 2nd of December
(Four bottles) running from 12 to 2pm
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Brut Réserve NV - $98 on offer ; $109 RRP
// 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir
Vinification in stainless steel tanks 50% to 60% reserve wines
Ageing on lees - 30 months
"With reflections of straw yellow, this cuvée is recognisable by the finesse of its slowly rising bubbles and its persistent and plentiful mousse. Overall it portrays a luminous radiance of sparkling youthfulness. On the nose, a distinct and precise intensity with an ethereal character, followed by a natural and radiant freshness. With the presence of a perfect primary example (floral and fresh fruits), highlighted by a volatility of very pure and lightly biscuit aromas. On the palate, subtle pleasure with a delicate texture under the charm of white flesh fruit flavours (apples, crunchy pears). With a beautiful fluidity of a delicious lightness uniting gourmand flavours of springtime. The ideal partner for every occasion. It is perfect as an aperitif and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes." - House Notes
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Brut Rosé NV - $150 on offer ; $168 RRP
// 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier
"Aged on lees for 36 months with the inclusion of 40% reserve wines - a fresh and elegant Rosé Champagne. Radiant color with graceful effervescence, a persistent mousse, and fine bubbles rising slowly in the glass. Subtle and fine aromas leading to an expressive red berry flavor with citrus zest. Creamy and smooth on the palate, evolving to strawberries notes and a raspberry finish. Light, balanced and precise. The best pairing for any happy occasion!" - House Notes
"It is the go-to rosé for wine professionals, with nuances of juicy/poached red berry fruits, yet finishes dry and fresh." - 96 Points, James Halliday's Top 100 Wines of 2022
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Brut Sous Bois NV - $150 on offer ; $169 RRP
"A radiant yellow crystalline appearance with golden glints brought to life by a luminous bead of persistent fine bubbles. There is an olfactory impact due to the richness of harmonious expressions (dry fruits, fresh citrus, and white fruits) coupled with finely buttered seductive notes. A defined aromatic undertone which expresses the mature complexity linked to the vinification in oak barrels. The caressing and refreshing texture enhance the creamy sensation, dominated by a beautiful bracing vivacity. A burst of flavours (notes of grilled brioche, toffee) thanks to the distinguished power and maturity which is a mark of the great wines of Champagne." - House Notes
"The complex bouquet reflects the primary fermentation in oak casks; the palate no less so thanks to the quality of the premier and grand cru reserves, also matured in oak. But it’s all a question of degree; there’s a core of citrussy acidity underwriting the freshness and length of the wine. 7 years on lees." - 95 Points, James Halliday's Top 100 of 2021
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Extra Brut Vintage 2009 - $145 on offer ; $159 RRP
// 40% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 27% Pinot Meunier
"An ideal blend allowing the personality of the Champagne region’s great Pinot Noirs to dominate, combined with the elegance and subtlety of Chardonnays and that signature touch of Pinot Meunier. The delicious intensity of precise fruit with citrusy and nutty notes (grapefruit pulp, slivered almonds). A nuanced sensory development built around pastry scents (raw butter, white fruit jelly). A masterful aromatic expression with a refined, refreshing purity. A nervy, charming, tactile delight (chestnut cream, fresh blueberries, and shortbread), emphasized by a delicate texture. The wine rises to a distinguished complexity with a persistent finale, crisply structured by the high-quality potential of such a sought-after vintage." - House Notes
"The low dosage of 2g/l and the warm vintage allow the fruit-based flavours free rein - white peach, Granny Smith apple and nectarine. The finish and aftertaste remain fresh and long. A house in grand form." - 96 Points, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
Premium Releases - $15 at the tasting to try both!
Tickets can be bought in-store on the day
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Louis Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2009 - $390 on offer ; $450 RRP
*Limited availability
This cuvée was named in tribute to Louis, Elisabeth Salmon’s brother, who was passionate about oenology and highly involved in winemaking from the earliest creation of the House. Originating from the best parcels of the Côte des Blancs, the Blanc de Blancs vintage is endowed with purity and minerality. Distinguished elegance of a mineral and exceptionally precise Chardonnay with a natural balance that is a harmonious representation of the best parcels of grand crus of Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly for the finesse and Mesnil-sur-Oger for the structure and longevity." - House Notes
"This is showing an array of almonds, frangipani, dried lemons, apricots, pastries and white chocolate, evolving to salted caramel. Fantastic complexity and all in balance, with firm focus yet open and delicious. Creamy, very fine bubbles. Salty, turning chalky and mineral at the end." - 96 Points, James Suckling
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Elisabeth Rosé Vintage 2009 - $390 on offer ; $450 RRP
*Limited availability
// 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay
"The Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon 2009 vintage is the expression of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay terroirs. It offers a unique and sensorial experience, the fruit of more than a decade of patience. The presence of an ancestral savoir-faire is recognised through the art of assemblage and rigorous selection from an exceptional harvest. This cuvée stands out for its sparkle and purity that reveal a noble, unique character." - House Notes
"Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamless and pillowy, with bright acids and a pure, precise profile, concluding with a bright, saline finish. In 2009, it was vinified entirely in stainless steel." - 96 Points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate
If you wish to buy any of these champagnes, please use the links above ? Tickets for tasting the premium bottles will be available on tasting day /// Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions
// Prices valid until Wednesday the 6th of December