Champagne Brut
Louis Salmon 2013

The Champagne Louis Salmon by Billecart-Salmon was created as a tribute to Louis Salmon, brother of Elisabeth Salmon, who co-founded the Maison with Nicolas François Billecart in 1818. A passionate naturalist and a deep connoisseur of the Champagne vineyards, Louis was among the first to understand the decisive role of terroir and parcel selection in defining the style of a Champagne. The Louis Salmon cuvée was conceived to honour this vision, presenting itself as a pure and refined interpretation of Chardonnay from the Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, capable of expressing with precision the chalky minerality, tension and elegance that characterise these soils.

This edition, Millésime 2013, is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced mainly from four Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs: Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant and Oiry. The vintage was marked by a distinctive growing season, with a long, cold winter that delayed flowering until July, followed by a summer alternating between heat, dryness and storms, leading to a later harvest than usual. Vinification and fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks with partial malolactic fermentation; after the tirage, the wine ages on its lees for around 10 years before disgorgement. The final dosage of less than 4.5 g/l, in Extra Brut style, accompanies the wine with discretion, enhancing its purity and balance.

On tasting, Louis Salmon 2013 displays a crystalline pale gold colour with luminous reflections and a very fine, persistent mousse. The aromatic profile reveals elegant floral notes, hazelnut, crisp pear, fresh butter and orange blossom, supported by a clear chalky signature. On the palate the texture is creamy and finely chiselled, with a dynamic balance between freshness and breadth; flavours of soft brioche, mirabelle tart and fresh pineapple emerge. The finish, powerful yet poised, unfolds towards mandarin pulp, blond tobacco and white pepper, with an exceptionally long aromatic persistence.