BILLECART-SALMON, Brut Réserve. Champagne (Magnum)

Bin: 51

Alcohol Percentage: 12%

Area: Billecart-Salmon are based at Mareuil-sur-Ay, just north of Epernay

Grape Variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Producer: Francois Billecart still runs the family estate. The whole business is geared to quality not quantity. One of the keys to their success is that the non-vintage wine uses up to 25% of 'reserve wine' (mature wines used to balance out the latest harvest). And those reserve wines are all kept to mature in magnums

Cellar Potential: Perfect on release, but I do like the extra complexity gained if you keep it for up to a year

Old Bridge Rating: Compare our prices - I don't think you will find this outstanding Champagne better priced in the U.K.

Press Reviews: "No matter where you are or how you're feeling, Billecart will cheer you up; it's the definitive pick-me-up. It's staggeringly good value too. If you've never tasted a bottle of Billecart, then you're in for a treat." (Daily Mail - Dec 2009)