Some "mouthwash" before an EPIC Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie dinner. To me, clearly the weakest Champagne of the night if only because the dosage was sticking out (damn all those brut nature or zero dosage growers that I have been drinking).
All Saints at All Saints (All Saints, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour. Citrus, apple, orange peel, liqueur, dried apricots on the nose. The palate shows citrus, bready, chalk, and apricot. Elegant, nice weight and energy. In a good spot.
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Magnum. This was a special bottle. Preserved lemon, lime, honey, ginger, brioche. Delicious, and drinking better than the CdC at this point in time. One of my favorites during a week of fine champagne bottles.
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Lys strågul, noe utviklet, svakt rosa skjær. Lett utviklet, sødmepreget duft av modne gule epler, smørmalt, sitronzest og et preg av tørt gress/høy. Pent utviklet smak, men vil holde mange år til. Kompleks, rik stil, delikat munnfølelse, modne epler også på smak. Harmonisk, godt balansert smakskurve med søtlig-syrlig preg. Stram og syrlig men med fylde som matcher syren godt og gir en god balanse. Flott, rik champagne i starten av modningskurven!
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Lys strågul, noe utviklet, svakt rosa skjær. Lett utviklet, sødmepreget duft av modne gule epler, smørmalt, sitronzest og et preg av tørt gress/høy. Pent utviklet smak, men vil holde mange år til. Kompleks, rik stil, delikat munnfølelse, modne epler også på smak. Harmonisk, godt balansert smakskurve med søtlig-syrlig preg. Stram og syrlig men med fylde som matcher syren godt og gir en god balanse. Flott, rik champagne i starten av modningskurven! 92-93 p.
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Asparagus Bday Celebration at ES BK. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Indeed improved even better than the last time 2 years ago. All that and more! Nose lots of toasty brioche, rich lemon curd and even more fruit than I remember previously. Palate very good balancing acidity with rich fruit and liquid stones minerality. In the zone already now for me. 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. Dosage 7g/l.
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Just fantastic. Pale yellow colour with a hint of gold. Vigorous mousse. Perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Notes of lemon, ginger and cold rolled steel. Reminds me of the 95 dp oeno but not quite as stern. Disappeared so fast. I prefer this over the CdC in 08.
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From mag and bottle side by side. Mag: Fabulous. Almost like water in colour. Incredible depth and fruit on the mid palate and finish. Amazing nite of cold, rolled steel. Bottle: Sweetness more pronounce on the bottle and a bit less depth.
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From 75cl. Eight years in the cellar since purchase and this is still just in early maturity. Superb apple fruit with very subtle hints of cinammon, clove, cardomom, just possibly ginger. Knife-edge balance of bright acidity and perfect dosage. Long, long, long finish. Outstanding wine. 93-94P
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Vilmart Grand Cellier D’Or 2008. Rik og deilig på duft som alltid. Stor intensitet med begynnende modning i frukten. Meget ren med nydelig kryddertoner. Strålende mousse. Fyldig munnfølelse med flott dybde. 2008 kler den fleskete stilen til Vilmart godt. Her er det både frodige former og spenst i Champions League klassen. Drikker meget bra nå - kan også lagres videre. Holder seg sterk gjennom hele kurven. Finishen er virkelig imponerende med sin lengde og mineralitet. Dette banker mye ned i støvlene - elsker. 93-94p
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Asparagus gang at Imperial Treasure. Drank in Gabriel Standart. Appearance is clear, pale intensity, lemon colour. Thin legs. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with lovely aromatics of white + yellow flowers, Meyer lemons, brioche. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium- alcohol (12.5%), medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet lemon curd, honey cream, ripe peaches, orange squash, chalky limestone minerality, salty saline on lemon rind. Long finish. Very good quality. 93 pushing 94 points for me. Maybe just a bit more age and then it will be just right. Much better than the 2007 vintage of this I drank before. 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. Dosage 7g/l.
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80% Chard, 20% PN. 7 g/l dosage. Alongside the 167eme Krug last night, this Vilmart was nearly as good. It has a distinct dried lime note, with terrific structure and intensity, finishing with a honeyed apple note. I bought these bottles 5 years ago, first one I have opened and it was fantastic to drink. Great future ahead for this vintage of GCdO.....and I was fortunate to retain about a glass under cork overnight, with the wine today showing the same tension and beautiful honeyed pippin apple from yesterday. Lovely stuff.
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Though it paled in comparison to the hallowed company alongside it ('96 CdC Rose and Selosse), this was still enjoyable. On other nights, when it is the sole champagne on the table, it has blown me away. Yeasty but citrusy, fresh and buoyant with lots of stuffing, it is clearly young and in need of time. A lot of upside to this. I'd give it some air and let it warm up a bit to really appreciate it now.
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Had a good pour of this last night. Didn't take notes but as I look at some of the notes below, I like Rich Nanda's description. There was good richness to the wine along with balance and the Vilmart acidity.
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Fourth of July Weekend (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Light golden color. 2 oz pour. This was singing; lovely yeast up front, pear, brioche, with a sublte smokiness, lemon, citrus zest, very balanced and energetic. This was in fine drinking and may sill get better. 93+(+)pts.
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Mixed Bag at Kevin's (Minneapolis, MN): Love Vilmart. Dough, minerals, orange peel, lemon and chalk. Medium to long finish. Super complex and good acidity. Excellent.
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Champagnes vs CA Sparklers (My house): SO AMAZING. I mean, I know Vilmart is amazing, this was no surprise. It blew away all the other wines (4 NV champs, 5 CA sparklers) at the table. It was miles ahead of them to all tasters which included many neophytes, but also some well-traveled palates, which is just confirmation of how wonderful Vilmart's wines truly are. My notes read: pineapple nose, totally delicious, therefore obviously Vilmart.
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Yeasty nose. A bit oxidative in style- ripe honeycrisp apples, and honey dripped pear flavors. There is excellent underlying minerality making this an excellent foil for a lightly spiced Pad Thai dish.
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Vindredi (Bellevue, WA): Toasty and yeasty nose. Rich, full and lovely with lots of citrus and bread on the palate. Lengthy finish with great acidity. Beautiful.
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White gold color. Rich and creamy. Aromas of nut skin and bread. Fine bead. Crisp and refreshing entry. This offered flavors of pear, citrus zest, stone and baguette. Outstanding. 92
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Provad på magnum. En väldigt bra årgång av Grand Cellier d'Or även om kanske flaskorna levererar ännu bättre än magnum just nu. Underbar fint integrerade ekfat och fin balans.
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I'm going to take the easy way out and just agree with (both) Brad Baker's notes. This is vibrant, juicy, and supremely balanced. And super young. I just decided to check in tonight - the other bottles will rest comfortably for a while longer. I do love me some Vilmart - this house never disappoints!
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The nose was beautiful, almost Burgundian, showing stunning, pure stone fruits, moist minerality, crushed seashell and sweet floral tones. On the palate, it was finely sculpted with staying minerality contrasting zesty acidity with notes of apple and ginger. It finished on stone fruit and inner floral tones.
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Impressive. Soft red berry nose, quite coy. On the palate, this is just so cohesive and well-balanced; the Chard and PN simply melt into one another. This is caressing but vibrant. Wow. I imagine this will age well, but its seductive energy is so magnificent that it would be a shame to miss out on what it offers today. Second bottle from a six pack -- I plan on consuming remaining bottles over the short term.
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Mostly Napas and white Burgundies with Washington Winos (Ripple Restaurant in Washington D.C.): Very focused bubbly. Taut and needs time to open up in glass. Precise and pure, with burgeoning flavors indicating future complexity, including ripe pear, wet stone, red apple and citrus aspects. Bubbles are fine and smooth leading to a medium plus finish. A good sign for the 2008 vintage in Champagne, somewhat problematic in initial and middle phases (uneven flowering, due to oscillating temperatures; cloudy and cool summer weather that may have prevented full maturity of grapes), but turning out great due to an excellent Indian Summer that concentrated the sugars to match natural high acidities at harvest-time in mid to late September. Thanks to Randy McFarlane for bringing this bottle.
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Beating the heat with Whites and Bubbles (Mott St., Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is pristine and aromatic with white fruits, pears, crushed rocks, white florals, apples, and some saline notes. The tones favor the higher register along with showing off a more nuanced side.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with high acidity. The acidity is really punching, but it is also extremely mouthwatering. Through the acidity lies a fresh and feminine feel with white fruits, pears, crushed rocks, apples, and a slight salinity on the back end.
Overall: This most certainly will age. The great question is that if you have bottles of these, will you be able to keep your hands off?
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Vilmart is one of my favorite Champagne growers and this is an amazing vintage of Grand Cellier d'Or, the best I am have tasted. Very elegant and fresh, with just the right amount of oak. Very good now but this wine will have a long life.
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Worldwide Whites (Edina Country Club, MN): Outstanding. Tiny bubbles. Super elegant offering with grapefruit, sour apples, citrus, baking spices and crust. Long finish and acidic. A perfect food Champagne. Drink or hold this beauties. Should go another decade plus. Top ten of the year candidate.
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Worldwide Whites (Edina, MN): Pale gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes plus. The nose offers pear, nuts, brisk minerality and citrus with ample tiny bubbles. The palate pops quite nicely, with pear, cream, good energy, sour apples, tart citrus, fairly elegant already, young and primary this will improve with some age. Medium plus finish. Give this at least 2 years. 92+(+)pts.
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My first Vilmart Champagne: Bright yellow in color. Nose of green apples, lemon, breadcrust and white flowers. The wine shows great balance and has a very precise structure. I like the harmony between sweetness/acidity and the long finish. It is a heavy Champagne with a higher dosage, but this makes it a very good food companion. I had the wine with white Aspargus and Sauce Hollandaise but could also see it in combination with fish, chicken even dark meats or cheese. Now very nice to drink but I expect more in 1-2 more years. Drink now - 2020.
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Very good! Nose with yeast, bread, red and yellow apples, flowers, pears & tropical fruits in the background and some oak hints. Wonderful on the palate, with sparkling mousse, lemon, apples, peaches, minerals, chalk and good acidity. Very good composition. This will be a great Champagne with maturity. 93+
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Yeast and full-bodied lemon, earth, subtle red apple and raspberry with even subtler mushroom...beautiful golden yellow color. Wow. This should be good for decades to come.
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A light yellow color with a restraint nose (served a little chilled). Very nice floral and peach nose. Great acidity and lovely citrus elements. Young but very balanced - excited about the prospect in a few years. I liked it a lot. 93-94 pts now but potential to go higher
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Degad oktober 2012 och inköpt på plats. Vilmarts husstil har aldrig varit i linje med min smak. För mycket o-integrerad ek som döljer det fina druvmaterial de har. Det här vinet är ett lysande undantag som förenar en fantastisk årgång med ett mer varsamt hanterade av eken. Visst finns den där men den är mer integrerad och flyter inte ovanpå. Skön , lätt brödig näsa med lite sötma och päron. Ung , syradominerad smak men ändå balans och elegans. Vinner på lagring men går absolut att dricka nu
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Thanksgiving wines (Highland Park, IL): Nose: Tightly wound, but with power and precision. The nose is deep with chalky minerals, tart green apples, pears, white florals, and some white fruits.
Taste: Medium/Full with high. The youth is extremely appearant with some raw power and loads of chalky minerals, green apples, pears, and white fruits.
Overall: This is extremely young and extremely good. This needs time to fully show itself, but the raw materials are there for a great champagne.
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Small grower Champagne tasting with Munskänkarna, featuring some of the new generation of growers (Stockholm): Light yellow colour. Nose with ripe yellow apples, noticeable oak notes, some perfume, elegant. Medium bodied+, palate with yellow and green apple, some peach, high acidity and mineral. Young, should be allowed to develop, 90+ p. This wine will climb to a high level! What keeps my "now score" somewhat down, although I found this wine to clearly be the best of the flight, is that the oak notes are rather obvious at present. In an top vintage such as this one, the oak will integrate well with some cellaring.
Jura, Puligny Montrachet and Champagne; 9/8/2013-9/20/2013: Fascinating multi-layered scent with e.g. (unpeeled) pineapple and some elusive spices which the winemaker described as cardamom and white pepper but I couldn't place that exactly. Slender, refined, taste of hazelnut (entry) - grapefruit juice (mid-palate) - macadamia nut (finish), but more linear and apple-acid-driven than that sounds. 80% Chard, 20% PN, no malo, fermented in 228-liter oak barrels, disgorged November 2012, 8g dosage. Drinkable now, but has its best days ahead, perhaps in 2-5 years. 90-92P(+)
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Burgundy and Champagne with Franska Vinlistan (Grappe, Stockholm): Nose with citrus including zest, ripe peach, perfume notes, a hint of honey; very elegant. The oak notes are in evidence by some smoke but the oak is well handled and embedded in the other aromas. Medium bodied+, palate with green and yellow apples, citrus and mineral, high acidity, some oak feeling and an aftertaste with green apple. Young, should be allowed to mature. The nose is wonderful already, but the palate is not too complex at present. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. 90+ p. As expected, the wonderful 2008 vintage give a good result also at this address.
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Bruised apples, mineral, nutty, eucalyptus so complex so long so delicious. and it has huge potential and it's so well priced That is a must to have in each wine cellar for those who like champagne
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3/12/2024 - asparagus wrote: 91 Points
Some "mouthwash" before an EPIC Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie dinner. To me, clearly the weakest Champagne of the night if only because the dosage was sticking out (damn all those brut nature or zero dosage growers that I have been drinking).
Bereche Ambonnay 2017 > Cristal 2012 > Egly Vrigny > Vilmart.
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8/31/2023 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
All Saints at All Saints (All Saints, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour. Citrus, apple, orange peel, liqueur, dried apricots on the nose. The palate shows citrus, bready, chalk, and apricot. Elegant, nice weight and energy. In a good spot.
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7/4/2023 - WST Likes this wine:
Magnum. This was a special bottle. Preserved lemon, lime, honey, ginger, brioche. Delicious, and drinking better than the CdC at this point in time. One of my favorites during a week of fine champagne bottles.
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6/14/2023 - GuWin wrote: 93 Points
Lys strågul, noe utviklet, svakt rosa skjær. Lett utviklet, sødmepreget duft av modne gule epler, smørmalt, sitronzest og et preg av tørt gress/høy. Pent utviklet smak, men vil holde mange år til. Kompleks, rik stil, delikat munnfølelse, modne epler også på smak. Harmonisk, godt balansert smakskurve med søtlig-syrlig preg. Stram og syrlig men med fylde som matcher syren godt og gir en god balanse. Flott, rik champagne i starten av modningskurven!
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6/14/2023 - GuWin wrote: 92 Points
Lys strågul, noe utviklet, svakt rosa skjær. Lett utviklet, sødmepreget duft av modne gule epler, smørmalt, sitronzest og et preg av tørt gress/høy. Pent utviklet smak, men vil holde mange år til. Kompleks, rik stil, delikat munnfølelse, modne epler også på smak. Harmonisk, godt balansert smakskurve med søtlig-syrlig preg. Stram og syrlig men med fylde som matcher syren godt og gir en god balanse. Flott, rik champagne i starten av modningskurven! 92-93 p.
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6/6/2023 - Tuvan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mature but magnificent
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12/30/2022 - Jowh wrote: 93 Points
Still on the way up. Harmony. Splendid wine.
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12/15/2022 - asparagus Likes this wine: 93 Points
a step up from the 09. everything the 09 was plus a bot more stuffing and less onstrisive sweetness
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12/13/2022 - Derek Darth Taster Likes this wine: 94 Points
Asparagus Bday Celebration at ES BK. Drank in Gabriel Standart.
Indeed improved even better than the last time 2 years ago. All that and more!
Nose lots of toasty brioche, rich lemon curd and even more fruit than I remember previously. Palate very good balancing acidity with rich fruit and liquid stones minerality. In the zone already now for me.
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. Dosage 7g/l.
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10/29/2022 - DAN BAILEY Likes this wine:
Just fantastic. Pale yellow colour with a hint of gold. Vigorous mousse. Perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Notes of lemon, ginger and cold rolled steel. Reminds me of the 95 dp oeno but not quite as stern. Disappeared so fast. I prefer this over the CdC in 08.
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5/26/2022 - DAN BAILEY Likes this wine:
From mag and bottle side by side.
Mag: Fabulous. Almost like water in colour. Incredible depth and fruit on the mid palate and finish. Amazing nite of cold, rolled steel.
Bottle: Sweetness more pronounce on the bottle and a bit less depth.
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7/12/2021 - honest bob wrote: 93 Points
From 75cl. Eight years in the cellar since purchase and this is still just in early maturity. Superb apple fruit with very subtle hints of cinammon, clove, cardomom, just possibly ginger. Knife-edge balance of bright acidity and perfect dosage. Long, long, long finish. Outstanding wine. 93-94P
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4/11/2021 - hajoha wrote: 94 Points
Vilmart Grand Cellier D’Or 2008.
Rik og deilig på duft som alltid.
Stor intensitet med begynnende modning i frukten.
Meget ren med nydelig kryddertoner.
Strålende mousse.
Fyldig munnfølelse med flott dybde.
2008 kler den fleskete stilen til Vilmart godt.
Her er det både frodige former og spenst i Champions League klassen.
Drikker meget bra nå - kan også lagres videre.
Holder seg sterk gjennom hele kurven.
Finishen er virkelig imponerende med sin lengde og mineralitet.
Dette banker mye ned i støvlene - elsker. 93-94p
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4/12/2020 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 94 Points
Golden yellow. Soft mousse. Gingered Granny Smith apple, brioche. Mature. Very good now, a very good value at original purchase price.
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2/27/2020 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 93 Points
Asparagus gang at Imperial Treasure. Drank in Gabriel Standart.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, lemon colour. Thin legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with lovely aromatics of white + yellow flowers, Meyer lemons, brioche. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium- alcohol (12.5%), medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet lemon curd, honey cream, ripe peaches, orange squash, chalky limestone minerality, salty saline on lemon rind. Long finish.
Very good quality. 93 pushing 94 points for me. Maybe just a bit more age and then it will be just right. Much better than the 2007 vintage of this I drank before.
80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir. Dosage 7g/l.
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2/27/2020 - asparagus Likes this wine: 94 Points
Such floral aromatics, but with lovely acidity, mouthfeel and stuffing to back it up. Beautiful!
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1/1/2020 - Frank Murray III wrote:
80% Chard, 20% PN. 7 g/l dosage. Alongside the 167eme Krug last night, this Vilmart was nearly as good. It has a distinct dried lime note, with terrific structure and intensity, finishing with a honeyed apple note. I bought these bottles 5 years ago, first one I have opened and it was fantastic to drink. Great future ahead for this vintage of GCdO.....and I was fortunate to retain about a glass under cork overnight, with the wine today showing the same tension and beautiful honeyed pippin apple from yesterday. Lovely stuff.
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12/27/2019 - Vetzi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Though it paled in comparison to the hallowed company alongside it ('96 CdC Rose and Selosse), this was still enjoyable. On other nights, when it is the sole champagne on the table, it has blown me away. Yeasty but citrusy, fresh and buoyant with lots of stuffing, it is clearly young and in need of time. A lot of upside to this. I'd give it some air and let it warm up a bit to really appreciate it now.
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10/13/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote:
Had a good pour of this last night. Didn't take notes but as I look at some of the notes below, I like Rich Nanda's description. There was good richness to the wine along with balance and the Vilmart acidity.
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7/9/2019 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Lovely integrated yeast, energetic and precise.
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7/6/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Fourth of July Weekend (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Light golden color. 2 oz pour. This was singing; lovely yeast up front, pear, brioche, with a sublte smokiness, lemon, citrus zest, very balanced and energetic. This was in fine drinking and may sill get better. 93+(+)pts.
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7/6/2019 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Mixed Bag at Kevin's (Minneapolis, MN): Love Vilmart. Dough, minerals, orange peel, lemon and chalk. Medium to long finish. Super complex and good acidity. Excellent.
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12/30/2018 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with my note from January. Incredible richness and density with so much orchard and mineral. Precise and long.
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11/22/2018 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 94 Points
Toasty biscuit and gingerbread notes. Nice secondary notes of ripe apple. Light mousse was short lived in the glass.
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8/3/2018 - jwsmith wrote: 94 Points
So creamy rich and perfectly balanced.
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4/21/2018 - tarheel17 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Champagnes vs CA Sparklers (My house): SO AMAZING.
I mean, I know Vilmart is amazing, this was no surprise. It blew away all the other wines (4 NV champs, 5 CA sparklers) at the table. It was miles ahead of them to all tasters which included many neophytes, but also some well-traveled palates, which is just confirmation of how wonderful Vilmart's wines truly are.
My notes read: pineapple nose, totally delicious, therefore obviously Vilmart.
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4/6/2018 - canan wrote: 91 Points
Saxum Vertical Tasting (Mathias@Michael): Lovely green apples with a solid acidity. Clean and fresh. Liked it but was not overwhelmed.
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1/27/2018 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Incredible richness, density and flavor with lively energy. This is a wine that consistently over-delivers.
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1/3/2018 - dbkitc wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful bottle of this wine. Beginning to settle nicely into a spunky / vibrant yet full Champagne. This goes down far too quickly! (94)
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10/23/2017 - dbkitc wrote: 95 Points
Glorious bubbles. Rich, full brioche filled Champagne that has both great intensity and depth. This bottle is pretty special. (95)
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8/20/2017 - Jowh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Toasted
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7/14/2017 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 92 Points
Yeasty nose. A bit oxidative in style- ripe honeycrisp apples, and honey dripped pear flavors. There is excellent underlying minerality making this an excellent foil for a lightly spiced Pad Thai dish.
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10/23/2016 - Collector1855 wrote: 94 Points
Champagne - 100 Vintage and NV Champagne; 12/15/2015-12/15/2020: During a matter of taste Master Class, Grower's Champagne. Straight forward mineralic nose with apple, quince, racy and fresh. Clean, lovely. Feels very young at this stage.
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8/12/2016 - dpolivy Likes this wine:
Vindredi (Bellevue, WA): Toasty and yeasty nose. Rich, full and lovely with lots of citrus and bread on the palate. Lengthy finish with great acidity. Beautiful.
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4/27/2016 - swade wrote: 92 Points
White gold color. Rich and creamy. Aromas of nut skin and bread. Fine bead. Crisp and refreshing entry. This offered flavors of pear, citrus zest, stone and baguette. Outstanding. 92
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3/31/2016 - dbkitc wrote: 92 Points
Deep yellow color. Mature citrus and toast notes. Lacks a bit of generosity on the back end but still very nice. (92)
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2/27/2016 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Provad på magnum. En väldigt bra årgång av Grand Cellier d'Or även om kanske flaskorna levererar ännu bättre än magnum just nu. Underbar fint integrerade ekfat och fin balans.
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12/19/2015 - tarheel17 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I'm going to take the easy way out and just agree with (both) Brad Baker's notes. This is vibrant, juicy, and supremely balanced. And super young. I just decided to check in tonight - the other bottles will rest comfortably for a while longer. I do love me some Vilmart - this house never disappoints!
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12/15/2015 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was beautiful, almost Burgundian, showing stunning, pure stone fruits, moist minerality, crushed seashell and sweet floral tones. On the palate, it was finely sculpted with staying minerality contrasting zesty acidity with notes of apple and ginger. It finished on stone fruit and inner floral tones.
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11/26/2015 - Colima74 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very young. It was best 2 hours after opening. Lots of acidity, lemon, minerality. Let this rest.
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10/23/2015 - jwsmith wrote: 94 Points
Creamy rich long excellent wine
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10/17/2015 - BurgAndy wrote:
Impressive. Soft red berry nose, quite coy. On the palate, this is just so cohesive and well-balanced; the Chard and PN simply melt into one another. This is caressing but vibrant. Wow. I imagine this will age well, but its seductive energy is so magnificent that it would be a shame to miss out on what it offers today. Second bottle from a six pack -- I plan on consuming remaining bottles over the short term.
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8/6/2015 - PanosKakaviatos wrote: 92 Points
Mostly Napas and white Burgundies with Washington Winos (Ripple Restaurant in Washington D.C.): Very focused bubbly. Taut and needs time to open up in glass. Precise and pure, with burgeoning flavors indicating future complexity, including ripe pear, wet stone, red apple and citrus aspects. Bubbles are fine and smooth leading to a medium plus finish. A good sign for the 2008 vintage in Champagne, somewhat problematic in initial and middle phases (uneven flowering, due to oscillating temperatures; cloudy and cool summer weather that may have prevented full maturity of grapes), but turning out great due to an excellent Indian Summer that concentrated the sugars to match natural high acidities at harvest-time in mid to late September. Thanks to Randy McFarlane for bringing this bottle.
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7/28/2015 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Beating the heat with Whites and Bubbles (Mott St., Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is pristine and aromatic with white fruits, pears, crushed rocks, white florals, apples, and some saline notes. The tones favor the higher register along with showing off a more nuanced side.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with high acidity. The acidity is really punching, but it is also extremely mouthwatering. Through the acidity lies a fresh and feminine feel with white fruits, pears, crushed rocks, apples, and a slight salinity on the back end.
Overall: This most certainly will age. The great question is that if you have bottles of these, will you be able to keep your hands off?
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7/2/2015 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 91 Points
My last bottle of this amazing vintage of this great wine. Just the right amount of oak and very balanced with a long finish. I love this wine.
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5/29/2015 - TinMan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Enough heft to hold up to spicy food-enjoyed with jambalaya this evening. Very nice.
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4/27/2015 - Elvis1969 wrote: 88 Points
A little flat, not as good as I am used to. The second weak bottle in a row.
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3/15/2015 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle was a little weaker than the others I have had, but still a very nice Champagne.
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2/28/2015 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Vilmart is one of my favorite Champagne growers and this is an amazing vintage of Grand Cellier d'Or, the best I am have tasted. Very elegant and fresh, with just the right amount of oak. Very good now but this wine will have a long life.
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2/14/2015 - Steve Brickley Likes this wine: 94 Points
Yeast, citrus, perfect acid cut, many fine bubbles for great mouth feel. This is drinking beautifully. Recommended.
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12/20/2014 - GuWin wrote: 90 Points
Nice maturity, delicate mousse, full bodied, drinking well now
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12/19/2014 - jwsmith wrote: 94 Points
Amazing wine
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7/7/2014 - AV2012 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not your everyday champagne, very complex and changing nose, full palate, distinct character. Loved this! (A-)
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6/30/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Worldwide Whites (Edina Country Club, MN): Outstanding. Tiny bubbles. Super elegant offering with grapefruit, sour apples, citrus, baking spices and crust. Long finish and acidic. A perfect food Champagne. Drink or hold this beauties. Should go another decade plus. Top ten of the year candidate.
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6/29/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Worldwide Whites (Edina, MN): Pale gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes plus. The nose offers pear, nuts, brisk minerality and citrus with ample tiny bubbles. The palate pops quite nicely, with pear, cream, good energy, sour apples, tart citrus, fairly elegant already, young and primary this will improve with some age. Medium plus finish. Give this at least 2 years. 92+(+)pts.
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6/23/2014 - bill00 wrote: 88 Points
Nice enough but lacks a level of complexity and energy especially in the context of the vintage.
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6/16/2014 - salil wrote: 88 Points
Leo's Blind Tasting Group - June '14 edition (Riverpark, NYC): Liked but didn't love this. Bright citrus and pear fruit, some yeasty and biscuit notes with a racy spine of acidity beneath, refreshing but not particularly complex or exciting.
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5/18/2014 - Wine_lvr wrote: 91 Points
My first Vilmart Champagne: Bright yellow in color. Nose of green apples, lemon, breadcrust and white flowers. The wine shows great balance and has a very precise structure. I like the harmony between sweetness/acidity and the long finish. It is a heavy Champagne with a higher dosage, but this makes it a very good food companion. I had the wine with white Aspargus and Sauce Hollandaise but could also see it in combination with fish, chicken even dark meats or cheese. Now very nice to drink but I expect more in 1-2 more years. Drink now - 2020.
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4/17/2014 - Ramberg wrote: 93 Points
Very good!
Nose with yeast, bread, red and yellow apples, flowers, pears & tropical fruits in the background and some oak hints.
Wonderful on the palate, with sparkling mousse, lemon, apples, peaches, minerals, chalk and good acidity.
Very good composition.
This will be a great Champagne with maturity.
93+
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2/16/2014 - TinMan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Yeast and full-bodied lemon, earth, subtle red apple and raspberry with even subtler mushroom...beautiful golden yellow color. Wow. This should be good for decades to come.
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1/25/2014 - western Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fine bead. Nose offers up citrus, apples, baked bread/yeast. Good fruit with excellent mousse, big mid palate with lovely dry acidity and long finish.
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1/24/2014 - JeremyQ Likes this wine: 93 Points
A light yellow color with a restraint nose (served a little chilled). Very nice floral and peach nose. Great acidity and lovely citrus elements. Young but very balanced - excited about the prospect in a few years.
I liked it a lot. 93-94 pts now but potential to go higher
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12/6/2013 - Rob Hansult Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, full, rich, taut, chalky lime-flesh/lime-zest Bomb! Great citrus fruit, mineral-tinged acidity.
Beautiful balance & life.
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11/30/2013 - Shorepower wrote:
Degad oktober 2012 och inköpt på plats. Vilmarts husstil har aldrig varit i linje med min smak. För mycket o-integrerad ek som döljer det fina druvmaterial de har. Det här vinet är ett lysande undantag som förenar en fantastisk årgång med ett mer varsamt hanterade av eken. Visst finns den där men den är mer integrerad och flyter inte ovanpå. Skön , lätt brödig näsa med lite sötma och päron. Ung , syradominerad smak men ändå balans och elegans. Vinner på lagring men går absolut att dricka nu
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11/28/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 94 Points
Thanksgiving wines (Highland Park, IL): Nose: Tightly wound, but with power and precision. The nose is deep with chalky minerals, tart green apples, pears, white florals, and some white fruits.
Taste: Medium/Full with high. The youth is extremely appearant with some raw power and loads of chalky minerals, green apples, pears, and white fruits.
Overall: This is extremely young and extremely good. This needs time to fully show itself, but the raw materials are there for a great champagne.
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10/14/2013 - Vintomas wrote: 90 Points
Small grower Champagne tasting with Munskänkarna, featuring some of the new generation of growers (Stockholm): Light yellow colour. Nose with ripe yellow apples, noticeable oak notes, some perfume, elegant. Medium bodied+, palate with yellow and green apple, some peach, high acidity and mineral. Young, should be allowed to develop, 90+ p.
This wine will climb to a high level! What keeps my "now score" somewhat down, although I found this wine to clearly be the best of the flight, is that the oak notes are rather obvious at present. In an top vintage such as this one, the oak will integrate well with some cellaring.
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9/18/2013 - honest bob wrote: 91 Points
Jura, Puligny Montrachet and Champagne; 9/8/2013-9/20/2013: Fascinating multi-layered scent with e.g. (unpeeled) pineapple and some elusive spices which the winemaker described as cardamom and white pepper but I couldn't place that exactly. Slender, refined, taste of hazelnut (entry) - grapefruit juice (mid-palate) - macadamia nut (finish), but more linear and apple-acid-driven than that sounds. 80% Chard, 20% PN, no malo, fermented in 228-liter oak barrels, disgorged November 2012, 8g dosage. Drinkable now, but has its best days ahead, perhaps in 2-5 years. 90-92P(+)
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9/17/2013 - Vintomas wrote: 90 Points
Burgundy and Champagne with Franska Vinlistan (Grappe, Stockholm): Nose with citrus including zest, ripe peach, perfume notes, a hint of honey; very elegant. The oak notes are in evidence by some smoke but the oak is well handled and embedded in the other aromas. Medium bodied+, palate with green and yellow apples, citrus and mineral, high acidity, some oak feeling and an aftertaste with green apple. Young, should be allowed to mature. The nose is wonderful already, but the palate is not too complex at present. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. 90+ p.
As expected, the wonderful 2008 vintage give a good result also at this address.
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7/13/2013 - Clos & Cru Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bruised apples, mineral, nutty, eucalyptus so complex so long so delicious. and it has huge potential and it's so well priced
That is a must to have in each wine cellar for those who like champagne
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7/7/2013 - hpgrette wrote: 92 Points
- Yellow color with medium pearls and has flavours of hazelnut.
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