Champagne Billecart-Salmon Le Reserve Giftbox NV

Champagne Billecart-Salmon Le Reserve Giftbox is the same benchmark non-vintage cuvée as Billecart-Salmon's standard release, dressed up in presentation packaging for when the occasion calls for a bit more ceremony. Blended from pinot meunier, pinot noir and chardonnay to a recipe barely touched since 1945, it pours a fine, persistent mousse over soft yellow stone fruit, strawberry and citrus, layered on a biscuity, autolytic core. It shows real depth and precision without losing any of its freshness, finishing long and dry. Billecart-Salmon remains one of the last family-owned houses in Champagne, and this is the kind of bottle that looks as good arriving as it tastes once poured.

What the winery says:

Billecart-Salmon's Brut Réserve blend has remained largely unchanged since 1945, built from pinot meunier, pinot noir and chardonnay sourced across the house's Champagne holdings. The style is fresh and vibrant, opening with bready, biscuit-like autolysis notes alongside floral lift, a touch of pear and soft red fruit, with a creamy, generously textured palate and a warm, toasty finish. This giftbox edition contains the same Brut Réserve inside presentation packaging, ready to give without wrapping.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 95/100 (NV)
“This is a complete wine with a wonderful aroma package including soft fragrances of yellow stone fruits, citrus, strawberry and delicate spice. The autolysis lees core is focused, biscuit-like, fresh and vibrant. An expressive mousse with a fine bubble, persistent almost crunchy mouthfeel and carrying the flavours suggest by the bouquet. Elegant, complex, youthful, vibrant and delicious. A Champagne for any occasion, dry, lengthy, complex and delicious.”