Producer Spotlight: Champagne Henri Billiot

With nearly 150 different Champagnes in stock (in addition to other sparkling wines from around the world), we have one of the largest selections on the West coast. Here’s a slightly closer look at a producer that has our attention right now. 

 

“Billiot’s wines are packed with plenty of flavor, yet at their best, they combine their depth with a rare elegance and harmony that sets them apart from many of their peers.” –Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net

Five points for this five-generation grower-producer:

Family owned and farmed
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Ambonnay Grand Cru vines
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Small, In-House Production
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Long Tirage
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Incredible Value

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GREAT CHAMPAGNES you should know about!

Ambonnay is one of Champagne’s most singular and most coveted crus. Pinot Noir in particular achieves a certain depth and vinosity here due to the warmer southern aspect and the clay and chalk soils. It’s here where the Billiot family has farmed for five generations. With five hectares and only a few thousand cases produced each year, each bottle is crafted under the careful eye of Laetitia, who took over operation, production and development in 2010.
 
With a very traditional, restrained approach, they allow the Ambonnay fruit to reach its full expression. Traditional vertical basket pressed, stainless steel fermentation and minimal intervention – no malolactic fermentation, fining or filtration. With at least four years of secondary fermentation in the bottle, you’ll find complexity, fine mousse and those lovely toasty flavors, all on the backbone of pure Ambonnay fruit.
 
We have two vintage (Millesime) wines in stock now. With extended time en tirage and in the bottle post-disgorgement, they are ready for immediate enjoyment!

 

93 POINTS – VINOUS “The 2014 Brut Millésime is a beautiful wine that shows the Billiot style off to great effect. Fresh, vibrant and also wonderfully deep, the 2014 hits all the right notes. Red plum, kirsch, flowers, mint and sweet spice all come together in a Champagne that marries tension with volume. That’s a pretty appealing combination in my book. Dosage is 0.6 grams per liter.”

91 POINTS – JEB DUNNUCK “The nose of the 2015 Champagne Millésime Brut is confected and sunny, although it keeps a fresh fruit profile without oxidation, offering notes of preserved strawberry, fresh pressed roses, and grapefruit. The palate is more open knit that the previous two vintages and is the most approachable for drinking now. It is flush with fresh raspberry, salted citrus, and a floral profile continuing through the end. Drink over the next 10 to 15 years. (Drink between 2022-2037).”
 
Finally, the first of their Prestige Cuvees (and one of Ksandek’s favorites):

92 POINTS -JAMES SUCKLING “This caressing non-vintage Champagne shows lemon tart, creme brulee, acacia honey and hints of vanilla. It’s silky and rounded on the palate. with excellent freshness and delicious sweet pastry character. 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. 70% from a perpetual reserve from 1983 to 2017 and 30% from the 2017 harvest. Drink now or hold.”

5% off purchases of 3-5 bottles Champagne H. Billiot
10% off purchases of 6 or more Champagne H. Billiot
 
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Sale ends Sunday, October 11th at 9 am Pacific.