2012 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Nicolas François, Extra Brut Large Formats softly perfumed too as the

softly perfumed too as the wine starts to evolve gently

Chinese five spice and fragrant earth

which is a little misleading as both the bouquet and palate are replete with notes of leather and tobacco

Named after a twentieth century BB&R ancestor

Ripe yet firm meaty tannins are evident but not obtrusive

2012 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Nicolas François, Extra Brut Large Formats softly perfumed too as theThe 2012 Nicolas Franois shows an initial burst of quite elegant, piercing grapefruit amongst some delicate notes of honey butter and white petals. This opens up to a more hearty, tactile core. The palate is beautifully balanced and pure, with some more white blossom. Theres a tautness and persistent acidity that carries through towards the finish. A beautiful touch of salinity brings the wine to an emphatic close.