Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart Brut, Champagne The name Billecart-Salmon comes from the joining of two families by the marriage of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. This prestige cuvée vintage Champagne, first created in 1964, is named in honour of co-founder Nicolas François. "The mark of Billecart is made not by the heavy foot?all of concentration, power and presence, but rather by the fairy touch of delicacy and crystal/clear fidelity."- Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide. 60% Montagne de Reims pinot noir, 40% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay; 18% barrel-fermented in old oak casks; no malolactic fermentation; 4g/L dosage

This 25-hectare Premier Grand Cru Classe estate, perched on the highest plateau of St Émilion, is one of the jewels of the right bank. Made with the assistance of Michel Rolland, this opulent and generously proportioned Bordeaux, with dark plum praline flavours and chocolatey tannins, is one of the top wines of this vintage.

Another terrific success for the flagship estate (a 92-acre vineyard situated on the famed limestone and clay-rich slopes of Cote Pavie) of Chantal and Gerard Perse, the 2011 Pavie is composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2011 may be the biggest, richest, most massive wine of the vintage. With thrilling levels of concentration, tremendous purity, high but sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, and terrific intensity, depth and palate presence, this larger-than-life effort will require 5-8 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly over the following 25-30 years.

A dark purple colour already shows the depth of this vintage. Refined and floral aromas on the nose with red fruits combined with a delicate and precise oak. Dense, silky and fleshy on the palate with a great elegance of fine tannins. A deep length finishing with black fruits. This racy Talbot is very promising!

Domaine du Tariquet 1994 BA 45.5% 700ml Grape Variety: 60% Ugni-blanc 40% Baco Tasting Notes: Vintage blonde colour, slightly tiled. The nose is ripe, well vanilla, some aromas of hazelnut then a very pleasant sensation of sweetness. The aromatic palette turns out to be noble, very “cigar box” and cashew nuts on the glass bottom. The palate is suave, powerful, thick with a feeling of opulence, bringing in the finish more orange freshness.

The purest noblesse and distinction of a Grande Champagne. So fine, so elegant so complex, so rich, this wonderful cognac is quite lively in spite of its very old ageing, creamy and appetizing, offering some notes of dried and jammy fruit, with the finest rancio aromas, leather, cigar box fragrances, toasted chocolate, liquorice and toffee. Very long finish with notes of honeyed and peppery spices coming through. It’s a travel in the infinite world of the aromas. A great cognac to meditate. Exceptional.