Jay Kline

9.4

It’s well known that I will bring bubbles to nearly any occasion. However, when a meal presents a particularly difficult pairing, such as traditional Thanksgiving dinner, bubbles are a no brainer. Besides, we’re celebrating gratitude!

This bottle of the 2018 Grand Cellier d’OR was popped, poured and enjoyed over the course of dinner. The wine pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing; bright with remarkable notes of lemon/lime citrus, green apple, tropical fruits, raspberries, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid like fricken laser beams. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, delicious and…*ahem*…chalk-full (sic) of minerals. This is a lovely example from Vilmart who, at this point, really need no introduction. Drink now through 2038. Disgorged July of 2022. — a month ago

Carter White

9.4

Complex, orange, apple, and peach, tangy and slightly oxidized, nuts, yeast, and cinnamon. Soft bubbles creates a nice mousse, delicate, and luxurious, vibrant and long. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Perfect for Valentine’s Day. First things first, this is a stunning salmon rose color in the glass. Persistent perlage with a creamy mousse. Tiny little bubbles. A terrific red fruit bouquet showcasing wild strawberry, orange peels, and red cherries. Purple flowers and dried herbs compliment. But I just cannot get over this striking color.

Pure sex in a bottle. Not dainty or waifish at all, there’s some serious muscle here to go along with the innate finesse. Disgorged 10/19 with a 9 g/l dosage, the striking acidity takes care of that and provides a smooth experience on the tongue. 90/10 PN/CH this is one of the standout Rosé champagnes around. Never cloying despite the dosage, everything here is perfectly balanced and structured. Just splendid really.

Sensual in the mouth, you get a full blast of red fruit on the palate. That 15% of still red wine really shows here. Grapefruit and dried cherries are dominant with a little strawberry joining in. Peaches and cream with herbs. Medium long finish. An outstanding grower that really is a cut above the rest. — 4 years ago

Sharon B

9.8

Can’t think of a better day to have a glass of Champagne ❤️🇺🇸💪🏻 — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Vilmart is a producer that I don’t see posted often. I visited this property in 10/22. Ate the fruit they left behind two- three weeks after they picked the Pinot Noir in their Clos des Goisses vineyard. So bloody delicious. Once you’ve had a steady diet of vineyard grapes, you can no longer eat table grapes. The thing to know about Vilmart, they embrace neutral wood barrels. It’s what makes their cuvées so complex…the wood & air. This is one of their entry level cuvées.

Tonight is a four-course…finishing w/ apple tart from the farmers market. Pairs nicely. The palate is; golden & green bruised apple, Bosc pear, tropical fruits-green melon, kiwi, pineapple juice, lemon & lime flesh, tangerine hues, saline/sea spray, toast, brioche, vanillin, cream, touch of ginger, moist, fine chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, beautiful acidity, yellow lilies, jasmine, well balanced and polished finish that lasts minutes. From 375ml. — a year ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

Hits on everything. The fruits, the woods, the meats. It’s what you get when you pair a great California winemaker with his best grape.

Hardy Wallace makes beautiful things happen with Mourvèdre.

Murky, fresh pressed wild blueberries, raspberries, strawberries. Salty thick cut beef jerky. Coffee, cocoa, rosemary stems.

Plush and classically balanced like a real-life checkbook. — 4 years ago

Joe Fischer

9.3

Wonderful Champagne with lemon zest, pear, stone fruits, and tartness on the bud. Nice finish with a velvety texture. — 3 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

very nice but likely a higher dosage than I’ve been drinking lately. It was a bit sweet. — 7 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

Chablis-like restraint in a very good way. Nose is tense, citrus and lots of limestone, an almost reductive floral nose and a touch of silky softness to balance. Acidity is high but not crazy, strange considering the house style is supposedly to inhibit all malo. Great stuff, I want to drink lots of it — 3 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.3

Refreshing. Mouthwatering lemon citrus with a clean mineral finish. Would be awesome with oysters on the half shell. TBL — 4 years ago