Together with Antoine Roland-Billecart, it’s my immense privilege to invite you to dinner to launch Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart 2008 at Shell House Restaurant on Saturday 20 May 2023.

Since anointing the 2000 vintage Champagne of the Year in the inaugural edition of The Champagne Guide, I have tasted every top vintage back to 1975, awarding an incredible rolling average score of more than 98 points, a feat achieved by just two other cuvées: Krug Clos du Mesnil and Krug Vintage. This ranks Nicolas-François Billecart in the top three in the world.

Cuvée for cuvée and vintage for vintage across history, I rate these three cuvées ahead of Sir Winston, Cristal Rosé, Cristal, Blanc des Millénaires, R.D., Egly Blanc de Noirs, Chétillons, Femme and every other champagne and sparkling wine on the planet.

Alongside Clos du Mesnil, Nicolas-François Billecart 2008 is my most anticipated release of the year and indeed the decade. I believe this to be the very last cuvée to be released from 2008, the vintage of our lifetimes.

I have not yet tasted it, and Antoine and I cannot wait to share it with you in person at Shell House!

I have long respected Antoine and his family for their resolute commitment to ever-rising excellence, making Billecart-Salmon one of just five houses to achieve my perfect rating of 10/10.

I love him personally for his no-nonsense, convivial and entertaining joie de vivre. Those who have shared our dinners together in Champagne and Australia know that he is the consummate host!

Antoine has dug deep into his cellar to mark this momentous occasion, and will share with us Nicolas-François Billecart 1998 en jeroboam alongside 2002 and 2007.

We will also complete the 2008 trilogy with Elisabeth-Salmon Rosé en magnum and Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs.

We will kick off the celebrations with Extra Brut 2009 en magnum, Rosé NV, Blanc de Blancs NV and of course Brut Réserve NV.

Ten cuvées in all, from jeroboam, magnum and bottle!

This exclusive experience is strictly limited to just 32 guests.

Showcasing

On arrival
Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV
Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut 2009 en magnum

Appellation rock oysters, mignonette
Spanner crab, lemon, apple paris brest
Comté & truffle toasties

Course 1
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs NV
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon 2008

Cruller whipped fish roe, white anchovy
Wholewheat sourdough, cultured butter
Pickled mussel, white onion, mujdei

Course 2
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé NV
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth-Salmon 2008 en magnum

Fremantle octopus, potato, lemon, smoked pepper
Lonza melon, mustard

Course 3
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart 2008

Ravioli Doppio, butternut, buffalo ricotta, pickled walnut

Course 4
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart 2007
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart 2002

Murray Cod, black pepper caramel, leeks, currants
Coal roasted spatchcock, burnt bread, grape, tarragon
Roasted potato, marjoram, fried garlic
Red fire lettuce, herbed salad cream, horseradish

Course 5
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart 1998 en jeroboam

Australian & imported cheese with accompaniments

100mL pours of 10 cuvées, presented in Riedel Veritas Champagne Glasses

Matched to a six course menu by Shell House

The Clocktower, Shell House, Level 9, 37 Margaret St Sydney (entry via Wynyard Lane)

6:30pm Saturday 20 May 2023

Places strictly limited to just 32 guests

Tickets $1195