Vilmart Grand Cellier

Waterford commentary:

For years, Vilmart has set the gold standard for our Champagne collection.  The Champagne is rich, sumptuous, hedonistic, utterly enjoyable to drink, all the while being precise and focused.

In the past, during those long, dark stretches when Wisconsin hadn’t been allocated any Krug, we at Waterford drank Vilmart.  Now, even when we have Krug, we keep drinking Vilmart – because too much of a good thing is never quite enough.

So it was with ironic joy that I read in Wine Spectator’s latest issue that they’ve “discovered” Vilmart.  No matter—great Champagne is about sharing the wealth, and our wholesaler agrees. We’ve got Vilmart at a price that we haven’t seen in years. So load up and buy as much as you can!

Winery notes:

“The qualities of patience, consistency and humility are essential to exalt the wines. Laurent Champs follows this philosophy in his pursuit of making the right choices in everything he undertakes, learning from previous experience. For him, it is also a form of honesty regarding his creations; he takes a measured approach to viticulture to enhance the quality of his wines.

“The pale lemon shade with golden and green highlights is shimmering and luminous. This wine develops a fine, elegant and long-tasting mousse.

“On the first nose, the wine reveals white flower aromas (honeysuckle, lilac), citrus notes as well as fresh butter and cream. After airing, as it is getting warmer, this Champagne exhales another spectrum of aromas. The wine reveals spicy notes of ginger, lemongrass, which were unsuspected until then. The beautiful quality of the acidity (present throughout the tasting) is especially remarkable. The frank vinosity of the wine (roundness and alcohol) gives an impression of strength and freshness. The wine appears both broad yet tight. These various sensations produce a pure, creamy and silky textured wine.

“The finish is clean, slightly mineral and long. The last aroma is the grapefruit. The impression will be remembered as a harmonious, healthy and vibrant wine.

Critical acclaim:

“95 points.

“Vibrant, finely cut acidity structures this seamlessly integrated version, backing layered flavors of poached apple, quince, honey, candied ginger, lemon zest and crème de cassis with hints of coconut and orchard blossom. Shows lovely texture and length. Drink now through 2023. 200 cases imported.” – Wine Spectator