Name: Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Cuvee Nicolas Francois 2008 750ml
Brand: Billecart Salmon
SKU: 918864
Price: 196.66 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 95.9 (8 reviews)

Items not labeled as Rapid Ship or Pre-arrival may require a transfer from the warehouse to our shipping facility before shipping, which can take 4–6 business days. Learn more on the Shipping Info page.

In-store Only Items

These items are available at our location to purchase in-store, or to choose in-store pickup at checkout.

Long-term Pre-arrival Items

Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.

Long Term Pre-arrival sales ensure you’re getting the best possible price and that you have also secured the product before it hits the normal retail supply chain. The lead time for Pre-arrival goods is generally 4–8 months, sometimes longer based on supply chain and the logistics of transporting goods overseas. The expectation, from our team, is to communicate to the customer the location of their purchase every step of the way.

Case Only Items

This product is offered as a full case purchase option, minimum order quantities may be applicable. When available, multiple case options will be presented. If you are purchasing a Pre-Arrival item you must order a solid case.

Rapid Ship

Items listed as "rapid ship" are in stock and available for immediate pickup or shipment. Those that do not have the "rapid ship" icon are housed with our supplier and must be transferred to our warehouse before they can be picked up or shipped. This requires 4-6 business days but usually occurs sooner. Some products will list both options of availability as there will be a certain number in stock, with the option to order additional bottles to be transferred from the supplier.

Item qualifies for 12 Ship FREE. Choose 12 bottles, get free shipping.

We offer FREE ground shipping and discounted upgraded shipping on orders with multiples of 12 qualifying bottles. Solid cases or mix-and-match, look for the yellow 12 FREE badge and save!

Learn More

See All 12 Ship Free Items

Enter your ZIP code to determine if we ship to your location

See our Shipping Info and FAQs pages for more.

Winery

Billecart Salmon

Shop all from Billecart Salmon

Varietal

Champagne Blend

The sparkling wines of Champagne have been revered by wine drinkers for hundreds of years, and even today they maintain their reputation for excellence of flavor and character, and are consistently associated with quality, decadence, and a cause for celebration. Their unique characteristics are partly due to the careful blending of a small number of selected grape varietals, most commonly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These grapes, blended in fairly equal quantities, give the wines of Champagne their wonderful flavors and aromas, with the Pinot Noir offering length and backbone, and the Chardonnay varietal giving its acidity and dry, biscuity nature. It isn't unusual to sometimes see Champagne labeled as 'blanc de blanc', meaning it is made using only Chardonnay varietal grapes, or 'blanc de noir', which is made solely with Pinot Noir.

Country

France

France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]

Learn more…

Region

Champagne

The beautiful rolling hillsides of the Champagne region of France have, for hundreds of years, been producing many of the world's most famous wines. The sparkling white wines to come out of Champagne's prestigious wineries have conquered the world, and are drank in celebration across the globe. The vast majority of the region is under vine, and grows predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varietals, which are usually blended together by master wine-makers in order to make their recognizable and widely loved produce. The north-easterly region of Champagne has a relatively cool climate, and quite a lot of rainfall, making it far from ideal for ripening grapes. However, the presence of heavily forested areas in the region helps maintain a balanced temperature, and the generations of expertise the wineries hold clearly produces excellent results in spite of the climatic problems.

JD 98pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Based on 60% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, with 17% raised in barrels, the 2008 Champagne Nicolas François spent more than 150 months on its lees, with 2.9 grams per liter dosage. It pours a rich straw hue and is layered and long with aromas of truffle, apricot, croissant, floral orange blossoms, and marmalade. Full-bodied, it’s supple in texture, with a rounded mousse, and has a long-lasting, mouthwatering finish. Exceptionally well-balanced, it comes together seamlessly on the finish. This will be a wine to enjoy over the next three decades. Disgorged in January of 2022.

JS 97pts

James Suckling

Lovely precision and drive to this with aromas of lemon curd, brioche, praline, apricots, pomelos, mandarin zest and salted caramel. It’s held together by a sharp, citrusy backbone of acidity, balanced with a fine, silky mousse. Both structure and softness here. Citrus fruit brightness on a beautifully elegant and seamless finish. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. 150 months on lees. 2.9g/L dosage. Drink or hold.

WE 97pts

Wine Enthusiast

A blend of fruit from mainly Grand Cru vineyards, this beautiful Champagne is now fully mature. With toasty characters, touches of fresher fruit and taut acidity, the wine has a little spice from wood fermentation. It is a great Champagne ready to drink.

VM 96pts

Vinous Media

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart remains quite potent and young. It's starting to gain some weight, but it remains a classically austere Champagne. The fruit is reticent, and its contours are angular. The 2008 is a very good wine, but, as I have said in the past, it is a Champagne that belongs to the prior era here. Vinification was 83% in tank and 17% in oak, likely a decision made to give the wine more body in this decidedly lean vintage. Dosage is 2.9 grams per liter. Disgorged: first trimester 2022.

WA 95pts

Wine Advocate

Originating from a late September harvest in a cool, late-ripening season and disgorged in January 2022 with a dosage of 2.9 grams per liter, the 2008 Nicolas François is showing superbly. It opens with an aromatic array of lemon oil, quince, nashi pear and honeysuckle, segueing into a medium-bodied and chiseled yet layered palate. A crisp core of fruit deftly cloaks the vintage’s brisk acidity, avoiding the taut austerity that the year can occasionally impart. Long and penetrating, animated by a pinpoint mousse, the wine’s aromatic promise translates seamlessly from nose to palate. It comes warmly recommended and will continue to deliver considerable pleasure for years to come. Produced from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with malolactic fermentation largely blocked, it enhances the vintage’s refreshing profile.

DC 95pts

Decanter

On release this is reserved, taut and subtle, with sourdough, confit lemon and gentle blackberry Pinot fruit presented with daring dryness (just 2.9g/L residual sugar) and intensity. The texture surrounding the firm acidity is cool, clean and lightly creamy, the mousse beautifully delicate. Somewhat inscrutable and firm at the moment, this structured and lean Cuvée Nicolas François stands to gain considerable expressiveness with time under cork. Made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 83% grand cru vineyards. 17% oak-vinified with 150 months on lees, disgorged in summer 2022. Drinking Window: 2028 - 2038

TWI 95pts

The Wine Independent

The Nicolas Francois 2008 Brut is a 69% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay predominantly from Grand Cru vineyards with 17% sourced from Premier Cru parcels. Cold fermented in stainless steel with 17% of the cuvée vinified in oak, it was cellared for prolonged aging sur latte and finished Extra Brut with a 2.9 grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with crisp aromas of ripe yellow apple, lemon tart, cold butter on fresh brioche and flower honey plus airy notes of crushed oyster shell and verbena, the medium-bodied palate has palpable energy with a dynamic acid line carrying lithe and ethereal notes of stone fruit and chalk to a wonderfully balanced and refreshing finish. A classic, fresh Billecart style that should continue to age beautifully for 15+ years. Disgorged in the third quarter of 2022. Lot: L84307

WS 94pts

Wine Spectator

A vibrant Champagne, with vivid acidity enmeshed with the lacy mousse, creating a fine frame for flavors of black currant and apricot fruit, preserved lemon, toast and ground coffee. Reveals minerally hints of oyster shell and brine that linger on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged spring 2022. Drink now through 2030.