Shay A

9.2

Opened during the WB virtual taste with Thomas Champs of the Vilmart family.

Disgorged April 2022; 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot noir; 7g/dosage; no malo; 10months in oak

While I’ve had Vilmart before, I’ve not focused on the wine and its history before the way I did with this virtual taste. Normally 7g/l dosage starts to cause me to pause, but this is another example of how dosage plays so many different instruments aside from sweetness. Beautiful texture and precision. Slight reduction upon opening. Brioche, lemon cream, honeycrisp apple (not tart; ripe), sea salt, faint honey. The mineral/chalk profile is upfront and the mousse is really nice and soft/creamy. A wonderful balance in acid, fruit, texture.

Followed over two days, and I may have enjoyed day two a small bit more! Always an incredible value. — 15 days ago

Kath Rt

9.1

citrusy, fresh… It would be my “second option”… but its really nice… — 2 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Cote du Rhône blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%). Deep garnet color with a ruby core. Aromas of red and black berry fruit, garrigue and baking spices. Same fruit flavors (very ripe) with notes of black licorice, black pepper and vanilla. Medium-plus finish and well balanced acidity. Smooth texture and tannins. This wine expresses the two varietals in the blend beautifully. Exceptional quality for the price. Revisited in February 2025. Solid. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The only Champagne in their flight. First time having this producer.

It has gentle, micro bubbles. Soft mousse. Again, a touch sweet. At least for me. Seems more than 9g. It is interesting to me that with all of France’s rather strict wines laws, I have seen extra brut over 6g & brut over 9g.

Full cherries to kirsch quality, strawberries, pomegranate and raspberries. Gentle dry herbal notes, moist, crumbled chalk & limestone, yeast notes, some white spice, sea fossil/spray, crumbled grey volcanics, pink & red roses, pleasant round acidity, nicely polished finish that is more fruit than earth as it sets and lasts 45 seconds to a minute. — 16 days ago

Vijay Parikh

9.3

With a 2 hour decant (needs 3) the 2000 Lalanden has noticeable Petit Verdot and pales in comparison to its sibling the Baron in this vintage. Still a very good wine! — a month ago

Venkat Srinivasan

8.9

Nice, smooth finish, left longing for dry — 3 months ago

Mario Zillner

9.3

Disgorgement: May 2022 | 70% Chardonnay / 30% Pinot Noir | 12.5% ABV — 4 months ago

Odair Ferronato

9.5

Fantastic!!! — 7 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (24%), Petite Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of plush black fruit, violets, graphite, leather, cedar and wet gravel. Jammy raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors with additional notes of plums, black currants, mocha, coffee, tobacco and baking spices. Beautiful hints of smoke and dusty earth on the long and precise finish. Rich and concentrated with great intensity. Medium-plus body and some noticeable tannins. Still a bit tight, but heading to a very good place. Thank you so much for the wonderful gift, Kasey and Pete! — a month ago

Shay A

9.3

(Two previous 1983 wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from my CT).

Continuing a run of ‘83s over the last 3-6 months, this not only showed quite well, but it was at its best after almost two hours in the bottle. Whereas the ‘83 Pichon was clean and elegant, this was a bit more dense and powerful. Beautifully expressive aromatics of potpourri, espresso, fig and leather with a flavor profile mostly on the red/black fruit side of the spectrum. The mid-palate showed good weight and continued to bulk-up during the evening. Old cherry-tobacco note at the finish. Honestly, this drank like it was more early ‘90s than it was early ‘80s. Good. — 2 months ago