Vilmart Grand Cellier Champagne
We have known for more than ten years that the Champagnes from Vilmart offer extraordinary value for money. Yesterday in the illustrious Wine Spectator, proof, if it were needed, has arrived. Vilmart's non vintage Grand Cellier achieving an amazing 95 points, equal top with Don Perignon and Roederer's Crystal. Grand Cellier, however is barely a quarter of the price of those two iconic champagnes.
Vilmart is only a small family owned champagne house whose annually production would barely register on the stock sheets of Roederer's or Moët. Demand for Vilmart's champagnes far exceeds supply and we are eternally grateful to receive an allocation each year.
- John Gauntley
Vilmart Grand Cellier
The Wine Advocate Issue 192, Dec 2010 - "The NV Brut Premier Cru Grand Cellier is a great introduction to the house style. A warm, open bouquet leads to a core of generous fruit as the Grand Cellier opens up in the glass. Smoke, mint and flowers are some of the nuances that emerge over time, adding further shades of complexity. This is a superb NV bottling and is not to be missed. The Grand Cellier is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, 50% 2007, 25% 2006 and 25% 2005, bottled with 10 grams of dosage. This is Lot L0609, disgorged June, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015.
Proprietor Laurent Champs makes some of the most elegant, refined Champagnes readers are likely to come across. Every wine I tasted during my visit earlier this year was fabulous. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to taste any of the house's roses for this article, but they are among my favorite wines of the entire region. Vilmart's roses are made in small quantities and disappear virtually as soon as they hit these shores, so readers should be on the lookout for any opportunity to snap them up. All of the Champagnes are aged in oak, which plays an important part in the Vilmart signature, yet few growers are as skilled in finding the perfect balance of fruit, structure and oak. In short, I can't say enough good things about Vilmart. Readers owe it to themselves to check out these brilliant wines." - Antonio Galloni
A complex and delicate wine which has a fine mousse and rich, lush, biscuity flavours. Piquant acidity gives it balance and elegance. Not as sweet/rich as the Grande Reserve. Will age for 10-12 years. (CG)
70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir 3 years bottle ageing prior to degorgement.