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. — 2 months ago
Presented to me blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears bright yellow with medium viscosity; no signs of sediment, gas or particles. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe orchard fruit: stone fruits, lemons, white flowers, lanolin and minerals. On the palate the wine is off-dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of character. The alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay from France, Germany or the United States. But I didn’t get any petrol so I eliminated Riesling and I don’t think you could get the balance of fruit and high acid from California Chardonnay (and the oak would probably be so pronounced). So I called Chenin Blanc from France, from the Loire, Vouvray Demi-Sec. Well…I should have known this could be Joly! Close…but some miles away from each other and I’d like to have the confidence to call producer in this case. Drink now through 2034. — 2 months ago
GSM that is 67 percent Grenache and 22 percent Syrah. Lots of fruit makes this delightful. May 2025. — 16 days ago
1hr+ decant. This was great, but did fade faster than expected so I’d drink up. Very complex nose and palate that can only be found in higher end Bordeaux’s. Great depth and long finish. Not sure if this is being produced any more, but if it is, I’m a buyer. — 2 months ago
Nose is minty and spicey. Palate is deep and rich with terrific mineral spine and wonderful structure. Ripe but substantial tannin. Nose has notes of ripe plum, peanuts and a saline element. Really good energy and depth. Not the most elegant wine but this has tremendous material and its own grace and charm. This needs air but I really like it. — a month ago
Hampton Liquors- around $12 — a month ago
romo
Not as deliberately oxidative, but still too oxidative to be Chablis. — 5 days ago