95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2014 base vintage; disgorged December 2016; 70% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir; 2013 and 2012 reserves; fermented and aged 10 months in large oak foudres; no malolactic fermentation; 8g/L dosage). Laurent Champs describes Grand Cellier as ‘audacious and elegant’, expressive of the fresh citrus notes and saltiness of Rilly chardonnay. It rises magnificently to the expectation, confidently chardonnay-led in its stunning brightness of white citrus and depth of ripe white peach. Champs is a master of marrying pristine fruit, enduring malic acid drive, soothing oak texture and the salty chalk minerality of Rilly-la-Montagne, and this release is a shining exemplar of his skill. A delightfully even and gracious finish lingers long and true, laced with nuances of vanilla and spice. (2020-2021)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "A mouthwatering Champagne that shows seamless integration of the plush and creamy mousse, rapierlike acidity and expressive range of peach, chopped nut, ripe green apple, star anise and honeysuckle aromas and flavors that persist on the long finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2022. Drink now through 2027. (11/30/22)"
92 points Wine & Spirits: "This is a 70-30 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grown in clay-limestone soils. The components come from harvests in 2014 through ’16, the wines aged 10 months in foudre. It’s spicy in its structure and lasting in its fruit, with flavors ranging from the red blush of pear skin to orange and dry pineapple. Powerful, generous and still tight, this should develop well over the next several years. (Dec 2021)"
91 points John Gilman (View From The Cellar): "The current release of Vilmart & Cie “Grand Cellier” is from the base year of 2016, with reserve wines added from the previous two vintages. It was disgorged in November of 2019. As is customary for this bottling from Regis Vilmart, the vins clairs for this bottling spend ten months aging in used oak casks prior to blending for secondary fermentation, with the cépages its typical seventy percent chardonnay and thirty percent pinot noir. The finishing dosage for this bottling is eight grams per liter. The wine is still quite youthful, but shows lovely promise in its aromatic blend of apple, a touch of nectarine, freshly-baked bread, a fine base of soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and tightly-knit, with a good core, brisk acids, fine focus and grip, elegant mousse and a long, nascently complex and very nicely balanced finish. This is certainly approachable today, but this will be so much more enjoyable when it has had a bit of bottle age and has had a chance to relax structurally. Fine juice. 2023-2038. (Sept/Oct 2021)"
94 points Wine Spectator: "A mouthwatering Champagne that shows seamless integration of the plush and creamy mousse, rapierlike acidity and expressive range of peach, chopped nut, ripe green apple, star anise and honeysuckle aromas and flavors that persist on the long finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2022. Drink now through 2027. (11/30/22)"
92 points Wine & Spirits: "This is a 70-30 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grown in clay-limestone soils. The components come from harvests in 2014 through ’16, the wines aged 10 months in foudre. It’s spicy in its structure and lasting in its fruit, with flavors ranging from the red blush of pear skin to orange and dry pineapple. Powerful, generous and still tight, this should develop well over the next several years. (Dec 2021)"
91 points John Gilman (View From The Cellar): "The current release of Vilmart & Cie “Grand Cellier” is from the base year of 2016, with reserve wines added from the previous two vintages. It was disgorged in November of 2019. As is customary for this bottling from Regis Vilmart, the vins clairs for this bottling spend ten months aging in used oak casks prior to blending for secondary fermentation, with the cépages its typical seventy percent chardonnay and thirty percent pinot noir. The finishing dosage for this bottling is eight grams per liter. The wine is still quite youthful, but shows lovely promise in its aromatic blend of apple, a touch of nectarine, freshly-baked bread, a fine base of soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and tightly-knit, with a good core, brisk acids, fine focus and grip, elegant mousse and a long, nascently complex and very nicely balanced finish. This is certainly approachable today, but this will be so much more enjoyable when it has had a bit of bottle age and has had a chance to relax structurally. Fine juice. 2023-2038. (Sept/Oct 2021)"
| Product SKU | 341373 |
| Producer | Vilmart |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| SubRegion | Montagne de Reims |
| Varietal | Champagne / Sparkling Blend |
| Designation | Brut|Premier Cru |
| Vintage | NV |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | White |
| Blend | 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir |
| Ships To |
