Vilmart & Cie
Grand Cellier 1er Cru Champagne Blend
Rilly-La-Montagne, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Grand Cellier” pours a pale straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tart fruit: green apple, star fruit, Meyer lemon, a whiff of brioche, and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I freaking love Vilmart. Drink now through 2038. Disgorged December of 2018.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Grand Cellier” pours a pale straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tart fruit: green apple, star fruit, Meyer lemon, a whiff of brioche, and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I freaking love Vilmart. Drink now through 2038. Disgorged December of 2018.
Jun 4th, 2026
Opened during the WB virtual taste with Thomas Champs of the Vilmart family.
Disgorged April 2022; 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot noir; 7g/dosage; no malo; 10months in oak
While I’ve had Vilmart before, I’ve not focused on the wine and its history before the way I did with this virtual taste. Normally 7g/l dosage starts to cause me to pause, but this is another example of how dosage plays so many different instruments aside from sweetness. Beautiful texture and precision. Slight reduction upon opening. Brioche, lemon cream, honeycrisp apple (not tart; ripe), sea salt, faint honey. The mineral/chalk profile is upfront and the mousse is really nice and soft/creamy. A wonderful balance in acid, fruit, texture.
Followed over two days, and I may have enjoyed day two a small bit more! Always an incredible value.
Opened during the WB virtual taste with Thomas Champs of the Vilmart family.
Disgorged April 2022; 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot noir; 7g/dosage; no malo; 10months in oak
While I’ve had Vilmart before, I’ve not focused on the wine and its history before the way I did with this virtual taste. Normally 7g/l dosage starts to cause me to pause, but this is another example of how dosage plays so many different instruments aside from sweetness. Beautiful texture and precision. Slight reduction upon opening. Brioche, lemon cream, honeycrisp apple (not tart; ripe), sea salt, faint honey. The mineral/chalk profile is upfront and the mousse is really nice and soft/creamy. A wonderful balance in acid, fruit, texture.
Followed over two days, and I may have enjoyed day two a small bit more! Always an incredible value.
I have really come to embrace this producer since my October 22 visit to the property. Beautiful champagne that is generally fermented in neutral small & large barrels/vats.
Starts w/ lemon, pineapple, lime, kiwi, white stone fruits, green apple, touch of tangerine & grapefruit w/ light sprinkle of sugar, cream, light white spice, crushed limestone w/ chalk, sea fossils, saline, light yeastiness, bread dough, sprinkle of dry herbs, spring flowers, jasmine, spring flowers & a touch of yellow lilies, nice crisp acidity with a structured backbone, nice tension, very well balanced and an elegant polished finish that lasts just under 90 seconds.
I have really come to embrace this producer since my October 22 visit to the property. Beautiful champagne that is generally fermented in neutral small & large barrels/vats.
Starts w/ lemon, pineapple, lime, kiwi, white stone fruits, green apple, touch of tangerine & grapefruit w/ light sprinkle of sugar, cream, light white spice, crushed limestone w/ chalk, sea fossils, saline, light yeastiness, bread dough, sprinkle of dry herbs, spring flowers, jasmine, spring flowers & a touch of yellow lilies, nice crisp acidity with a structured backbone, nice tension, very well balanced and an elegant polished finish that lasts just under 90 seconds.
Chrisp green apple, pear and a beautiful chalky overtone.
Chrisp green apple, pear and a beautiful chalky overtone.
Jan 16th, 2021
Wow. The seaside. Walnut. Salty, yeasty, citrusy, expansive, herbal smell. Lively bubbles, great streak of acid. Lacks fruit, all mineral. But really good.
Wow. The seaside. Walnut. Salty, yeasty, citrusy, expansive, herbal smell. Lively bubbles, great streak of acid. Lacks fruit, all mineral. But really good.
Aug 14th, 2020In the name of science, a few champagnes/sparkling wines were sampled today in an effort to help a friend for comparative research reasons. Hard way to spend a Monday...
For me, this was opposite end of the spectrum vs the Krug. More “reductive” in style with the bruised fruits & matchstick initially but this became a bit more fleshy after some time open and revealed more underripe citrus, lemon-lime candy and crushed rock. Thanks @Weston Eidson
In the name of science, a few champagnes/sparkling wines were sampled today in an effort to help a friend for comparative research reasons. Hard way to spend a Monday...
For me, this was opposite end of the spectrum vs the Krug. More “reductive” in style with the bruised fruits & matchstick initially but this became a bit more fleshy after some time open and revealed more underripe citrus, lemon-lime candy and crushed rock. Thanks @Weston Eidson
Simone’s first Xmas 🎄 (with Champagne for the adults) 🍾
Simone’s first Xmas 🎄 (with Champagne for the adults) 🍾
Dec 25th, 2022Disgorged June ‘17… these just keep getting better with more bottle age 🥰🥂
Disgorged June ‘17… these just keep getting better with more bottle age 🥰🥂
Sep 3rd, 2022