Blind Champagne Tasting (Basanti in San Juan Capistrano, CA (South OC)): April 2016 disgorgement. Lots of fresh apple, and it's very prominent while the wine was cold. I had called this as Grand Cellier as I wasn't getting the tangerine that is so much a signature of GCdO, but when this finally shed the chill, the tangerine rushed in, along with some pastry and pear. Finishes with flint and lime zest. Damn good again, but this vintage of GCdO always warms my heart.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
April Basanti (blind): Blind. Disg. 2016. Nice thick mousse. Red apple, pastry mid-palate, nice lemon zest and acidity on finish. I wasn't getting the "signature" tangerine note on this bottle, so didn't spot it as Vilmart. Perhaps more air or warmer temp would have revealed it? Texturally came across as denser than the other sparklings that night. Showing well at the moment, but will likely improve a bit with age.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wednesday Champagnes at Basanti: Served blind. Wow. Its been 6 years since I had this. I struggled with this more than my comrades. I think this might have been a bit closed. I also should have made a point of taking some additional notes before we left. Reserved flinty nose. Very energetic palate though reserved in expression. Very powerful, hard acids. Definitely was getting prettier in my glass. Will let my bottle sleep at least a couple more years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
80% Chard and 20% PN. Avoiding malolactic fermentation and aged in wood barrels and 600L casks. Effervescent with light pine, MacIntarsh apple, seamlessly woven, fresh with acidity. Anise appeared 30 min later, adding another layer of interesting complexity. It's still quite young and fresh. In a lineup against all the NM's, this Champagne is full of character and personality. Vilmart is a grower Champagne worth seeking out. 94 points.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
4/18/2024 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Blind Champagne Tasting (Basanti in San Juan Capistrano, CA (South OC)): April 2016 disgorgement. Lots of fresh apple, and it's very prominent while the wine was cold. I had called this as Grand Cellier as I wasn't getting the tangerine that is so much a signature of GCdO, but when this finally shed the chill, the tangerine rushed in, along with some pastry and pear. Finishes with flint and lime zest. Damn good again, but this vintage of GCdO always warms my heart.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2024 - IrisTable wrote:
April Basanti (blind): Blind. Disg. 2016. Nice thick mousse. Red apple, pastry mid-palate, nice lemon zest and acidity on finish. I wasn't getting the "signature" tangerine note on this bottle, so didn't spot it as Vilmart. Perhaps more air or warmer temp would have revealed it? Texturally came across as denser than the other sparklings that night. Showing well at the moment, but will likely improve a bit with age.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2024 - WetRock wrote:
Wednesday Champagnes at Basanti: Served blind. Wow. Its been 6 years since I had this. I struggled with this more than my comrades. I think this might have been a bit closed. I also should have made a point of taking some additional notes before we left. Reserved flinty nose. Very energetic palate though reserved in expression. Very powerful, hard acids. Definitely was getting prettier in my glass. Will let my bottle sleep at least a couple more years.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2024 - ChinaWineDude Likes this wine: 94 Points
80% Chard and 20% PN. Avoiding malolactic fermentation and aged in wood barrels and 600L casks. Effervescent with light pine, MacIntarsh apple, seamlessly woven, fresh with acidity. Anise appeared 30 min later, adding another layer of interesting complexity. It's still quite young and fresh. In a lineup against all the NM's, this Champagne is full of character and personality. Vilmart is a grower Champagne worth seeking out. 94 points.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2022 - Dima Angert Likes this wine:
Still very fresh and youthful, with some tangerine and red berry, autumnal notes. Th mousse is a little subdued. Lovely.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment