Vilmart & Cie Brut Grande Reserve NV (1.5L)

92 JS / 91 AG/ 90 WA / 17 JR

A blend of pinot noir (70%) and chardonnay (30%), this has a profound sense of harmony on both the nose and palate. Aromas of grilled nuts, pepper and lightly spiced wild raspberry fruits are pristine, leading to a palate that has beautifully supple, fleshy texture. The acidity is assertive, not harsh; the depth, balance and concentration is really something. Drink now whilst fresh or up to three years. - James Suckling

Once again, the NV Brut Grande Reserve (2016 base) is a terrific introduction to the Vilmart range. The aromatics alone are captivating. POire Williams, kirsch and exotic white flowers lend more austere than most Vilmart Champagnes, but it compensates for that with striking precision and overall persistence. This edition is especially fine. Disgorged: June 1, 2019

Disgorged in June 2019, Vilmart's latest NV Brut Premier Cru Grande Réserve is showing beautifully, bursting with aromas of pear, wheat toast, yeast extract and confit citrus. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, it's fleshy and enveloping, with a fleshy core of fruit, tangy acids and a pillowy mousse. While it's already showing well it will also age with grace. Derived from the 2017 vintage and complemented by reserve wines from 2015 and 2016, it was disgorged with nine grams per liter dosage. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay. The only Vilmart wine with majority Pinot Noir. Blend of three years. Base 2012. Fermented in large oak, aged 10 months before bottling. Malo blocked. Disgorged June 2014. 10 g/l dosage.

Very pale greenish straw. Light but very interesting nose. Pretty admirable. Dancing and lively. One of the most ethereal of this range of growers' wines. Really lively and racy. - Jancis Robinson