2012 Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs, Billecart-Salmon

"Although still feeling youthful, the superb 2012 Louis Salmon is packed with layer upon layer of flavour just waiting to unfold; there’s crisp, primary fruit of apricot and lemon syrup, richness of sourdough toast and nougat, gentle sweet spice of vanilla, tonka and fresh nuts in honey, all carried in a frame of deceptive ease and grace and a gliding, airy mousse. Nimble and pointed, this is unmarked by high dosage or the overt, tropical fruit concentration that 2012 can sometimes bring, it’s a release that treads a delicate line between opulence and delicacy, early-drinking pleasure and long-term reward. 60% from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, with the remainder from Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry, with 25% barrel fermentation and 115 months on lees."
Drink 2024-2040 | 94/100pts. Tom Hewson | Decanter