Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Réserve Brut Premier Cru NV
Montagne de Reims, Champagne, FranceThough no longer technically a grower of champagne because Vilmart & Cie sources some grapes, they are certainly in the same authentic, hands-on, small-scale league. This is a 70/30 pinot noir/chardonnay cuvée (not to be mistaken with their Grand Cellier, which reverses the grapes in the mix). This was based on 2020, with reserve wines from 2018 and 2019 and fruit of 1er cru Rilly-la-Montagne, with vines averaging 35 years. Vilmart's base wines ferment in large oak foudres for ten months before secondary fermentation in the bottle, and none see MLF. This was dosed with 8 g/L in the summer of 2021. Red and green apples and lemon are lined with cherry brioche and lit with a buzzy chalkiness. The lingering finish is alluringly kissed with an anise. Showing smartly at present. With a 2021 DG date, it's time to drink best now.Tasted: 27 February 2023Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Réserve Brut Premier Cru NV
Montagne de Reims, Champagne, FranceThough no longer technically a grower champagne because Vilmart & Cie sources some grapes, they are certainly in the same authentic, hands-on, small-scale league. This is a 70/30 pinot noir/chardonnay cuvée (not to be mistaken with their Grand Cellier, which reverses the grapes in the mix). Reserve wines come from the previous two vintages come from 1er cru grapes from Rilly-la-Montagne, with vines averaging 35 years. All of Vilmart's base wines ferment in large oak foudres for 10 months prior to secondary fermentation in the bottle, and none see MLF. This was dosed with 9 g/L before release. Quite complete and round in the mouth, with biscuit, red apple, green apple, cherry blossoms and lemon, knit together seamlessly, and finishing with a lemon twist. This has lovely balance and flow throughout, and an easy classic to enjoy.Tasted: 28 November 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Réserve Brut Premier Cru NV
Montagne de Reims, Champagne, FranceThough no longer technically a grower champagne because Vilmart & Cie sources some grapes, they are certainly in the same authentic, hands-on, small-scale league. This is a 70/30 pinot noir/chardonnay cuvée (not to be mistaken with their Grand Cellier, which reverses the grapes in the mix). This bottle was based on the 2015 vintage, with reserve wines from 13 and 14, and 1er cru grapes from Rilly-la-Montagne, with vines averaging 35 years. All of Vilmart's base wines ferment in large oak foudres for 10 months prior to secondary fermentation in the bottle, and none see MLF. This was dosed with 9 g/l before release. Quite tight and lively, thanks to no MLF, but with a gentle cushion, thanks to the aging in oak. Biscuit, lemon dough, green apple is bright and lively on the medium palate, the acidity holding this taut and vibrant through the chalky finish. Lovely completion throughout. Disgorged in July 2017.Tasted: 23 August 2019Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Réserve Brut Premier Cru NV
Montagne de Reims, Champagne, FranceThough technically not a "grower champagne" because Vilmart & Cie sources some grapes, they are certainly in the same authentic, hands-on, small-scale league, and a highlight of any wine list or tasting. This is a 70/30 pinot noir/chardonnay cuvee (not to be mistaken with their Grand Cellier, which reverses the grapes in the mix). Red apple and red currant is brightened and textured with a crystalline citrus pith and toast, though the plush cushion on the palate is white cherry and gentle apple blossom. This has been plumped with ten months ferment and aging in oak foudres. Very elegant.Tasted: 05 December 2016Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne Vilmart & Cie Grand Réserve Brut Premier Cru NV
Montagne de Reims, Champagne, FranceAlluring fine dough, toast and gentle lees opens this premier cru 70/30 pinot noir/chardonnay blend, a blend of two vintages. A fuller cushion of red fruit (red apples, currants) reflects the majority pinot noir in the cépage, balanced out with a vein of bright acidity from the chardonnay and plumped up with a minimum of ten months ferment and aging in oak. A lovely base of nutty hazelnuts, gentle toast and crystalline orange textures with crisp pear and green apple to the lengthy finish. Family owned since its foundation in 1890, Vilmart owns and organically farms 11 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards in and around the village of Rilly. All of Vilmart’s wines are fermented and aged for at least 10 months in oak, this NV in foudres. Drinking beautifully now, but will continue to complex for the next 5+ years easily.Tasted: 07 December 2015Tasted by: Prices:
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