Billecart-Salmon Le Sous Bois Champagne Extra Brut – uncompromising character and oak-aged finesse

Billecart-Salmon Le Sous Bois Extra Brut is a champagne for the passionate connoisseur seeking depth, structure, and an expression beyond the ordinary. This distinctive cuvée sets itself apart from classic champagnes by being 100% vinified in oak barrels – a rare and uncompromising approach that brings warmth, complexity, and an almost vinous depth. It is a champagne with soul, history, and a clear gastronomic identity.

The name Le Sous Bois – “the undergrowth” – is a poetic reference to the forest-floor and spicy nuances contributed by the oak. Here, tradition and innovation meet in an expression that is both powerful and exquisitely elegant. The Extra Brut dosage ensures a dry, precise, and focused style, allowing terroir, oak, and time to speak freely.

The cuvée is composed of carefully selected grapes from some of Champagne’s finest areas and supported by reserve wines with vintages dating back to 2006. Subsequent aging for a full five years on the lees adds depth, structure, and a silky-smooth texture that can only be achieved through patience and masterful craftsmanship.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Crystal-clear and radiant golden color with fine, elegant bubbles rising with energy and precision.

Aroma: Complex and harmonious nose with aromas of viennoiserie, citrus, and orchard fruit. Notes of malt gradually evolve into mocha, bergamot, and subtle oak spices.

Palate: Full-bodied and structured with great finesse. Flavors of milk rolls, melted butter, and gentle spices merge into a silky balance. Long, deep, and refined finish with impressive complexity.

The Story of Maison Billecart-Salmon

Maison Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and is today one of Champagne’s most respected and long-established family-owned houses. For seven generations, the family has worked according to the same philosophy: creating champagnes of purity, finesse, and elegance – always with respect for time and terroir.

The house owns around 100 hectares of its own vineyards and collaborates with additional parcels spread across more than 40 crus, including some of the region’s most sought-after Grand Cru areas. The majority of the grapes come from the area around Épernay – the heart of Champagne – where climate and soil provide optimal conditions for Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. Le Sous Bois is a clear testament to Billecart-Salmon’s ability to unite tradition, precision, and boldness in a single bottle.

Product Information

• Type: Champagne – Extra Brut
• Producer: Billecart-Salmon
• Region: Champagne, France
• Grapes: 43% Grand Cru Chardonnay, 29% Meunier, 28% Premier & Grand Cru Pinot Noir
• Origin: Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, Montagne de Reims, Aÿ, and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
• Vinification: 100% low-temperature fermentation in small oak barrels
• Reserve Wines: With vintages dating back to 2006
• Aging: Approx. 5 years on the lees (sur lie)
• Dosage: Extra Brut
• Alcohol: 12%