1998 Billecart Salmon Grande Cuvee
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Brut Grande Cuvée offers up pretty red fruits in smoke, pastry and sweet oak in a generous, open style. The finish is round and long creamy, but the wine's appeal is mostly up-front as a measure of intensity dissipates on the close. Both bottles I tasted seemed to lack balance and poise. 2009-2013. L 781935 23209J.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Brut Grande Cuvee offers up pretty red fruits in smoke, pastry and sweet oak in a generous, open style. The finish is round, long, and creamy, but the wine’s appeal is mostly up-front as a measure of intensity dissipates on the close. Both bottles I tasted seemed to lack balance and poise. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2013. L 781935 23209J. The Billecart-Salmon house style is defined by class, elegance, and a sublime freshness to the wines. Long fermentations at cold temperatures with no malolactic fermentation are the rule at this small, family-owned property in Mareuil-sur-Ay. I also had a chance to re-taste the 2000 Brut Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon 2000 Brut Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart (reviewed last year). Both wines showed beautifully. Readers will find updated notes on www.erobertparker.com. Importer: Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 332-4999
About the producer
Founded in 1818, Billecart-Salmon is one of the region's oldest continuously family-owned Champagne houses and has a fine reputation for crafting exceptionally elegant and pure Champagne wines.