H. Billiot Fils Cuvée Laetitia 750ml - Toast Wines by Taste
Good quality exotic/domestic wine and spirit shop in West Hartford, CT.
H. Billiot Fils Cuvée Laetitia 750ml
SKU: 12163

H. Billiot Fils Cuvée Laetitia

  • ws93
  • st93
  • we90

750ml
$0.00
$103.99

Available for:
Pickup
Shipping
Share
Category Sparkling Wine
Varietals
Origin France, Champagne
Brand H. Billiot Fils
Alcohol/vol 12.5%
The back-story: This was always a profound, sometimes inscrutable but reliably significant Champagne, a tête-de-cuvée consisting of the best lots from every vintage. There were two of these "soleras," the first one started in 1967, and when that one was gone, another one that began in 1983. It was a leviathan of Champagne when it was on form, as it was for many years. Then about 3-4 years ago it started to show a weird cidery or pear-drop flavor that annoyed me, yet wasn't annoying (or perhaps even discernible) to other tasters. Still, I fussed at Laetitia, and learned that the cuvée had historically been aged in many small tanks, but for some reason her father-on the eve of his retiring-decided to blend them into two large tanks. Alas, one of the component tanks was the source of the flaw, and now it was there to stay. Laetitia set about to be rid of this wine, and to create a renewed and "fresher" version of her namesake wine, "without this apple taste." The youngest vintage (30%) is still 2013, newly disg 10.2016, and still majority CH; the wine's more open and accessible than last year, showing wet straw and tropical fruit and doughy Chardonnay richness; a nice thread of chalk runs through it. The "apple" thing (more like pear-drop) is fading fast but not entirely erased.
Wine Spectator
  • ws93

Rich and mouthwatering, with a fine, silky mousse and well-spiced flavors of baked quince, candied mandarin orange peel and brioche. Finely knit, lingering on the finish. Disgorged April 2016. Drink now through 2022.

November 30, 2017
International Wine Cellar
  • st93

Complex, minerally aromas of lemon, lime, spiced apple, violet and caraway seed. Dense, tactile and incisive, with urgent lemon, floral and spice flavors sharply defined by bracing acids. Wonderfully elegant, concentrated Champagne, at once brisk and round. Bracing finishing flavors of lemon and pink grapefruit.

December 2003
Wine Enthusiast
  • we90

With a strong, mousse-like feel in the mouth, this is a lively offering. It's yellow fruit is layered with toastiness. It has a rich feel, very much in the Billiot style, and a complex, compact character. It is ready to drink. Disgorged October 2011.

December 2012

Adult Signature is required for every shipment.

For walk-in customers: Please call ahead of time to make sure the item you are seeking is in stock. Any product you see on our website is available for online orders and pickup orders, but it does not mean that it is physically in the store at all times.

Product availability, price, and wine vintages are subject to change anytime. Customers will be notified before processing the order in that scenario.

The estimated time of delivery is only accurate when the product being ordered is in stock at the store. If it is out of stock, shipping may take 1-2 more business days (even if faster options like overnight shipping are selected).

The description/title of each product on our website is the most accurate form of information for you to trust. If you see a difference between the description and the picture of the bottle(s) provided, the description is most likely the more accurate form of information. Sometimes a product's image is in the process of being updated, which is why we strongly advise our customers to order by the title of the product rather than relying on the picture of the bottle. If you have any questions about a specific product, please call and we will happily answer all of your questions. Thank you.