March 2025 — 3 months ago
2020 vintage. Medium/medium-heavy body. Blessed with richness up front and grip on the back end without obvious flaws or gaping palate holes. A bit of something for everyone and at decent pricing. In consideration for future...considerations. 01.22.25. — 4 months ago
A delicious, full-bodied wine. Tasting dark chocolate, black cherries, cedar, and raspberry jam. Silky and smooth with a long, satisfying finish. — 2 months ago
Hampton Liquors- around $12 — 2 months ago
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. — 4 months ago
January 2 2025 — 5 months ago
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
Fruity. Plummy. Grass. At berns steakhouse Tampa — 2 months ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The US is now their #1 export market. You would be surprised at what some producers spend on labels. It is more than you think. All those countries, languages and different requirements for what needs to be written on them.
I think this is in a dumb faze or just closed down.
The nose is muted and not all that revealing. Soft blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with powdery raspberries. Clayish soils, some clove, dark earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood and dark withering flowers.
The palate is a little flat..showing stubbornness. Ripe but dullish; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries & raspberries. Dry clayish soils, dry top soil, limestone minerals, dark spice, clove, dark, rich earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood that falls into cedar, soft tobacco with dark withering flowers and violets, its acidity is very good, the finish while balanced, polished, somewhat elegant, lacks some complexity today and lasts a minute.
I would reserve a full assessment of this one tasting it again in 5+ years. It is in need of further evolution. — a month ago