2002 Billecart Salmon Clos Saint Hilaire
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2002 Le Clos Saint-Hilaire is rich, unctuous and exuberant, but it also needs time to be at its best. I have seen that with previous releases, and have no doubt that will be the case here as well. At nearly twenty years of age, the 2002 remains very young. To be sure, the low dosage of 1 gram per liter adds to a feeling of austerity that suggests the wine requires further cellaring. Ash, graphite, menthol and mineral notes complement a core of rich Pinot fruit nicely. (Originally published in May 2021)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Simon Field MW, Decanter
More reviews and scores
Mathieu Roland-Billecart describes the 2002 as the ‘smiley face of the 1996’ – not, he adds, to put down 1996 in any way, rather to underline the ripe, forward character of the 2002. Forward, maybe, but with so much more to give, such is its textured depth. Burnished gold in colour, with aromas of baked apple, sourdough and quince, the wine unfurls gracefully, still youthful, the fruit character both zesty and pithy, floral but with nascent savoury inclination; a broad canvas, but not short on detail; a powerful beast, but not lacking the elegance of a well-groomed gentleman in his prime.
RS 1 g/l. 3,674 bottles produced. This stands out with real precision, quite incredible red fruits, subtle toast and a yeasty note, lemongrass and some Thai spice too. This has quite profound depth and concentration, it is so full in the mouth, a whiff of gun smoke, red fruits, lavender, sesame seed and the lightest toasted almond. So amazingly long and just skips along. Truly stunning and quite unlike any champagne I have ever tasted.
RS 1 g/l. 3,674 bottles produced. This stands out with real precision, quite incredible red fruits, subtle toast and a yeasty note, lemongrass and some Thai spice too. This has quite profound depth and concentration, it is so full in the mouth, a whiff of gun smoke, red fruits, lavender, sesame seed and the lightest toasted almond. So amazingly long and just skips along. Truly stunning and quite unlike any champagne I have ever tasted. (AC)
About the producer
Founded in 1818, Billecart-Salmon is one of the region's oldest continuously family-owned Champagne houses and has a fine reputation for crafting exceptionally elegant and pure Champagne wines.