NV Henri Billiot "Réserve" Grand Cru, Brut, Champagne, France

ABOUT THE WINE
Crafted entirely from estate-grown Grand Cru fruit in Ambonnay—one of Champagne’s most lauded Pinot Noir villages—the NV “Réserve” Brut is typically a blend of around 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and tension. It is a perpetual cuvée (solera-style), incorporating reserve wines aged over multiple vintages, adding depth, complexity, and a subtle oxidative nuance. Aged sur lie for an extended period and finished with a low dosage, the wine is precise yet rich, showing the ripe fruit and power typical of Ambonnay while maintaining brisk acidity and a savory chalk-driven core. It pairs beautifully with Comté, roasted poultry, or shellfish, and rewards contemplation as much as it does celebration.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Henri Billiot Fils is a fifth-generation, grower-producer based in Ambonnay, one of Champagne’s most prized Grand Cru villages. Under the guidance of Laetitia Billiot, who took over from her father Serge, the domaine continues to work exclusively with estate-owned vineyards, cultivating just 5 hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Farming is lutte raisonnée (reasoned struggle), avoiding synthetic chemicals whenever possible, and all wines are made entirely in-house. The Billiot style is defined by richness, clarity, and terroir expression—especially the powerful, chalky structure unique to Ambonnay. Their commitment to tradition, minimal intervention, and multi-vintage blending results in Champagnes that are both deeply authentic and exuberantly pleasurable.