2018 Billecart-Salmon 250 Anniversary Cuvee Grand Cru Extra Brut Champagne, France

The Anniversary Cuvee is a blend of Pinot Noir from only Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, and Grand Cru Chardonnay in the Cote des Blancs fermented in (nearly) all stainless steel, and aged on the lees for more than five years. The final result is at once serious and a touch baroque, bursting with yellow peach and red berry fruit, sandy shortbread, and honeysuckle, before curling around an intensely chalky finish. There is terrific density to the material here, and good acidity. This is tremendous now and will keep for years to come.

Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay