Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier 1er Cru Brut Champagne

Description

Laurent Champs grows his fruit at his vineyards in Rilly-la-Montagne, a premier cru village in the Montagne de Reims. He farms his estate without any chemical inputs. Blending 70 percent chardonnay with pinot noir, he ages the base wine in large neutral-oak vessels, then leaves it for 30 months on the lees, in bottle. The wine's limestone minerality reminded several tasters of white Burgundy, a firm structure balanced by sweet notes of honey and puff pastry. Dense, floral and layered in its complexity, this would be delicious decanted with a salmon soufflé. Score - 94. (wineandspiritsmagazine.com, Dec. 2020)

Tasting Notes

An explosion of flavor, with ripe nectarine, lemon curd, clover honey, jasmine and grilled nut notes set on a firm, fine china-like frame. Lithe and elegant, this is like raw silk on the palate. The vibrant, mouthwatering finish echoes exotic spice, chalk and floral details. Disgorged May 2014. Best from 2017 through 2025. Score - 94. (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2015)

Tags

Champagne, D - Dry, Rich & Complex, Sparkling - Dry, White, White Champagne, Wine, XD - Extra Dry