Champagne Vilmart & Cie. Rilly la Montagne, Champagne

The story of Vilmart begins in 1872, with Desire Vilmart, founding a small Champagne company in the hamlet of Rilly in the Montagne de Reims. Five generations later, Laurent Champs has built Vilmart up to be regarded as 'arguably the best of the "grower" Champagnes.' Like Krug, Vilmart believes that fermentation and élevage in oak is the most effective means of developing a full spectrum of aromas, tastes, and textures. Celebrated importer/writer Terry Thiese raves about this house. "It's clear to me Vilmart is a Champagne house of unassailable consequence, a must-have for anyone interested in the possibilities of this most suavely powerful and graceful of all wines. Casks are hardly the point anymore. Organic viticulture, (truly!) low yields, remarkable polish of fruit, and the deliberate patient pursuit of perfection makes Laurent Champs' estate a gemstone gleaming among the chalk." In the May 2007 issue of Decanter, Tom Stevenson writes, "When I first tasted Vilmart in 1981 it was nothing special. But after it introduced oak in the late 1980s, a sea change in quality occured. By 1991, I declared Vilmart to be "poor man's Krug", "mini Krug" and "The greatest grower Champagne I know."

Grand Cellier N/V "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. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015. " 92 points, Wine Advocate, Dec 2010 "Aromas of flowers and tobacco give way to apple, lemon and white pepper in this elegant, racy Champagne, which is balanced on the freshness, with nice length. More of an aperitif style. Drink now through 2012" 90 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 31, 2010 "50% 2008 and 25% each 2006 and 2005. 70%PN, 30%Chard. Disgorged 4/10. The wine has always been excellent, but it used to be more starched and not entirely knit, and now it's silkier. This is certainly among the best of the last 15 years, with the clinging flower of 2008 and the warm, honeyed 2006 dancing in graceful counterpoint. Mirabelles and apple sauce against lavender and wisteria, a little more springy than usual, with a refined, incense-y finish." 1 of 3 stars, Terry Thiese, Champagne catalogue 2011

Coeur du Cuvée 2003 "Montrachet with bubbles!" - Tom Stevenson, Decanter May 2007 "Vilmart has quickly established cult status...since young Laurent (Champs) took over from his father in 1991, the company has become one of the true gems with the perfect wine, Coeur de Cuvée, as its most brilliant star. This wine was the best made in Champagne during the "off" years of '91, '92, '93 and '97. Hunt like a demon for the scarce 5000 bottles that were made of this gem!" 4000 Champagnes by Richard Juhlin, Winner - Louis Roederer Int'l Champagne Writer of the Year Award

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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