Properly serious food wine, a Michelin-star classic! Parker 92 Aromas of almond paste, green orchard fruit, citrus oil and pastry cream introduce the latest example of Billecart's NV Brut Sous Bois, a bottling that's based on the 2009 vintage. The oak influence is much less pronounced than was the case with some of the early renditions of this cuvée, and it's really going from strength to strength, revealing a medium to full-bodied palate that's broad-shoulder and structured, with lively underpinning acids. Jancis 17/20 This new cuvee is all vinified in oak but hasn't a hint of obvious oak on the nose. Lovely quality of fizz. Brooding and intense. There is marked density here and excellent balance and persistence. As usual, we are not told on the back label how old this blend may be, just that it is 'respectfully composed' of the three Champagne varieties. But it's impressive wine and I suspect it will not be cheap. Recommended. Edge of green on the nose here. Steady bead. Really quite rich and intense. Quite a meaty nose – but then food smells are coming in from the 67 Pall Mall kitchen! Mathieu Billecart suggests Tete des Moines or Comté as a food match or mushroom risotto ‘but the mushrooms have to be in season’. Lots of impact. I agree with Alistair Cooper MW, as below. "baby brother to Clos St-Hilaire" (only £300 cheaper!!!). I've always loved Sous Bois but the current release sees it "on fine mid-season form" as Bertie Wooster might say. Tasting it recently (March 2022) was like a flashback to a recent tasting at Krug. This is a wine certainly head and shoulders above its status and price. Billecart launched it with ambition, and they have over-delivered. Utterly charming. jancisrobonson.com 17+ "A baby brother to Clos St-Hilaire, 100% barrel-fermented. One-third of each variety from selected parcels – older, lower-yielding parcels tend to be chosen for the Sous Bois. 52% grand cru grapes, 16% premier cru (across the whole portfolio; their Meunier isn’t grand or premier cru). One-third reserve wine. Malo blocked. Long lees-ageing (6–7 years). Slightly oxidative style – the most oxidative they make. A richer mouthfeel as well as real bite. A savoury and yeasty note on the nose – almost slight Marmite (yeast extract). The oak is very well integrated and just frames the wine – the subtle note of spice comes in on the finish – slightly cedary note? (AC)"

Entirely handpicked in the morning, cooled and directly pressed and fermented separately in stainless steel. Pinot Noir macerated briefly to give light salmon color.Second fermentation in bottle for 18 months in temperature controlled cellars.

Sixth generation Francoise Antech has taken this excellent producer to even greater heights, championing the Limoux region and Mauzac grape variety around the globe. The UK is the family's largest market , now looked after by seventh generation Baptiste. This is the first priced wine in a range of their Blanquettes and Cremants that we recommend. Blanquette de Limoux has a claim to being one of the world's oldest sparkling wines, with legend dating its creation to 1531.

Sixth generation Francoise Antech has taken this excellent producer to even greater heights, championing the Limoux region and Mauzac grape variety around the globe. The UK is the family's largest market , now looked after by seventh generation Baptiste. This is the first priced wine in a range of their Blanquettes and Cremants that we recommend. Blanquette de Limoux has a claim to being one of the world's oldest sparkling wines, with legend dating its creation to 1531.

A blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac. Traditional method. Exclusively hand-picked with immediate pneumatic pressing. Initial fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. After assemblage a second fermentaion takes place in bottle. The wines are 'forgotten' in the cellars for 5 years. Then this Grande Cuvée is finally revealed - showing incredible freshness and great delicacy. The wine is dosed at only 5g/l. Coming in at 12% alc. The wine is rich and complex with a beautiful golden colour with fine and very delicate bubbles. Rich caramel tones interwoven with crystalised fruit with fine vanilla and a whiff of gingerbread on the nose. The palate is delightfully youthful with accompanying citrus notes with orange oil and zest. A remarkable and truly special Cremant de Limoux. A special sparkling wine.