Champagne Vilmart & Cie
Champagne Vilmart & Cie
Champagne Vilmart & Cie is a Champagne house based in the village of Rilly-la-Montagne, at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. Vine growing history here dates back to 1890, and in fact, Vilmart is one of the pioneers of ‘grower’ champagne. Under the guidance of Laurent Champs since 1989, the house has risen to become one of the "top estates" (according to Galloni) in Champagne.
Part of the ethos that has served Vilmart so well is its commitment to organic viticulture. Working in partnership with nature, rather than struggling against it, gives their wines "extraordinary class and elegance " (Galloni) that many ‘grand marques’ cannot match. Champs uses no chemicals, and the estate has been pesticide-free since 1989, creating wonderfully healthy subsoils.
The remarkable "finesse" in the wine is also achieved by two signature wine-making techniques: vinification in oak barrels and avoidance of malolactic fermentation. Combining these techniques with grapes of exceptional quality, their Champagnes display "depth and complexity" and "a brisk focus and poise" (Decanter).
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Vinous (94)
The 2014 Brut Coeur de Cuvée impresses with its density and overall energy. Apricot, baked apple tart, spice, chamomile and lightly honeyed accents all meld together. The 2014 is deep and beautifully centered, with tons of poise and impeccable balance. It's a pretty big wine by Vilmart standards, and yet all the elements are so well put together. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Disgorged: March, 2021.HK$5,100.00 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
Revisited from the September 2018 disgorgement, Vilmart's 2014 Brut Premier Cru Grand Cellier d'Or is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with scents of pear, toasted brioche, white flowers, crisp peach and honeycomb. Medium to full-bodied, vinous and incisive, with superb depth at the core, racy acids and a bright, unerringly precise finish, it's still very youthful—to the extent that I'd love to be broaching a full case a decade from now.HK$4,500.00 -
Vinous (92)
The NV Brut Grand Cellier is bright, effusive and wonderfully charming. White flowers, chalk, mint and lemon confit give this mid-weight, nervy Champagne tons of energy. All the elements are so nicely put together. I especially like the energy and crystalline purity here. There are a lot of terrific wines in this range, but the Grand Cellier is quintessentially Vilmart. This release is based on 2019, with the addition of reserve wines from 2018. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2022.HK$2,480.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017.HK$2,700.00