Champagne Billecart-Salmon, “Elisabeth Salmon” Rosé MAGNUM
Perhaps no other Champagne House has been as synonymous with world-class rosé as Billecart-Salmon. The mere sight of this distinctly shaped bottle, from a historic family-owned estate, sets off a Pavlovian response amongst Champagne fanatics such as myself. It’s a wine you simply cannot avoid if you partake in fine bubbles because of its graduation from best-kept secret to one of the most highly sought-after, in-demand rosés on the market. But tonight’s limited and deeply special offering isn’t their remarkable flagship rosé—it’s many, many leagues above it. “Elisabeth Salmon” is Billecart’s extraordinarily rare prestige vintage cuvée, made only in top vintages, from an enviable collection of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. It matures for over 10 years in their mile-long network of cold, subterranean cellars and is subsequently rationed out to the world’s most exclusive, first-rate markets. This stunner comes from the legendary 2008 vintage, a “miracle” year that’s been mentioned in multiple “best ever” discussions, and despite being released just recently, it’s quickly racked up three reviews barely shy of perfection. While I don’t ever see myself “scoring” a wine, it’s hard to disagree with the lofty numbers this extraordinary Rosé Champagne has received. It’s a vinous masterpiece that promises to blow you away, whether drinking now or on its 20th birthday (and this magnum will age even longer than the 750ml formats). Only one magnum per person.