Champagne Vilmart et Cie. is arguably the greatest of the smaller Champagne houses that own and maintain their own vineyards (an arrangement known as “grower Champagne”). This bottling of Vilmart’s non-vintage “Grand Cellier” combines 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. Some Champagne is quiet and subtle, a whisper. Vilmart, however, is audacious and luxurious and exotic, a bit flamboyant even.

The still wine is aged for ten months in oak casks prior to secondary fermentation.

Incredibly expressive, the palate is layered with green and gold tropical fruit, a creamy mouthfeel, nutty brioche, and a vibrant finish.

“A sculpted Champagne, rich but still elegant, with well-honed acidity and a panoply of flavors set on the raw silklike mousse. Delivers grilled macadamia nut and biscuit, white cherry and nectarine fruit, crystallized honey, lime blossom, star anise and smoke accents. Long, salty finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2033.”
94 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, November 2023

“Laurent Champs grows this fruit at his vineyards in Rilly-la-Montagne, a premier cru village in the Montagne de Reims. He farms his estate without any chemical inputs. Blending 70 percent chardonnay with pinot noir, he ages the base wine in large neutral-oak vessels, then leaves it for 30 months on the lees, in bottle. The wine’s limestone minerality reminded several tasters of white Burgundy, a firm structure balanced by sweet notes of honey and puff pastry. Dense, floral and layered in its complexity, this would be delicious decanted with a salmon soufflé.”
94 points, Wine & Spirits Magazine, December 2020

“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.”
92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, March 2023