370. Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Brut Réserve, NV (2007)

£??; 12%

We picked up a couple of bottles from POTG (continuing our Optimor work-through of their Champagne range!) to toast Sven’s imminent wedding. This was my preferred choice, and I’d heard people talk about Billecart-Salmon as a good producer. Pale yellow-gold with some green glints. Fine mousse, and a super-fine bead. Initially a biscuit whiff, but this opened into apricot fruit with a touch of vanilla. Quite creamy apricot fruit, with fairly crisp acidity and (I think) a moderate dosage that gave roundness but not ‘fatness’. Well balanced. A flinty / smoky hint on the (quite long) finish.