Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Champagne
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€752.95 |
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Vinous (93)Bright yellow. Room-filling and utterly hypnotic aromas of ripe pear, quince paste, toffeed nuts, smoked meat, buttery brioche, potpourri and pungent flowers. Deep, round and rich, with powerful, densely concentrated orchard fruit flavors complicated by lichee, cherry pit, Asian spices, butter and toasted nuts. Firms up on the finish, with harmonious but substantial acids framing the deep fruit tones and the buttery note repeating on the back. This has the structure to repay many years in a cool cellar. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,228.38 |
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Vinous (95)The 2006 Coeur de Cuvée is just starting to enter the early part of its plateau of maturity. Lemon confit, apricot, spice and lightly toasted notes give the wine much of its aromatic and flavor complexity. The 2006 was quite powerful at the outset, but over time it has become much more finessed and nuanced. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so. This is a terrific showing. Disgorged July 2013. |
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Champagne | 6 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€843.79 |
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Vinous (96)The 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is magnificent. In this vintage Laurent Champs balances the natural intensity of the year with tremendous energy and vibrancy, making for a Champagne of remarkable beauty. Like all the Vilmart wines, the 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is super-refined. Even so, it is also incredibly tight and nowhere near ready. I find its depth, power and tension absolutely compelling. Bright saline notes, spice and floral accents extend the eternal finish. The 2012 is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged: February 2019. Don't miss it! |
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Champagne | 2 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,336.38 |
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Vinous (96)The 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is magnificent. In this vintage Laurent Champs balances the natural intensity of the year with tremendous energy and vibrancy, making for a Champagne of remarkable beauty. Like all the Vilmart wines, the 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is super-refined. Even so, it is also incredibly tight and nowhere near ready. I find its depth, power and tension absolutely compelling. Bright saline notes, spice and floral accents extend the eternal finish. The 2012 is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged: February 2019. Don't miss it! |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€834.78 |
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Vinous (96)The 2013 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is fabulous, not to mention and absolute must-buy for Vilmart fans. All of the tension of the late harvest comes through in a Champagne that dazzles with tension and energy. Bright acids drive a core of Chardonnay fruit. Citrus, white pepper, white flowers and crushed rocks abound. Readers should be in no rush to open the 2013, it's a wine for the cellar. Disgorged: December, 2020. |
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Champagne | 2 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€640.38 |
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Vinous (94)The 2014 Brut Coeur de Cuvée impresses with its density and overall energy. Apricot, baked apple tart, spice, chamomile and lightly honeyed accents all meld together. The 2014 is deep and beautifully centered, with tons of poise and impeccable balance. It's a pretty big wine by Vilmart standards, and yet all the elements are so well put together. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Disgorged: March, 2021. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€763.98 |
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Vinous (96)The 2015 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is a pretty dense wine that belies its deceptively mid-weight structure. What surprises me most about the 2015 is how closed it is. In most years, especially warm years, Coeur de Cuvée is quite a bit more open and voluptuous, but the 2015 does not come across like that at all. Rather, it is super-classic in bearing, with tons of gravitas from the 60-year-old vines just waiting to emerge. There are non of the awkward herbal notes that penalize so many wines. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2015 is a brilliant Coeur de Cuvée. |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€877.43 |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€804.82 |
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Champagne | 2 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€504.78 |
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Vinous (92)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. Disgorged: May 2022. |
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Champagne | 5 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€363.73 |
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Vinous (96)The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017. |
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Champagne | 2 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€248.53 |
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Vinous (95)The 2012 Extra-Brut Les Blanc de Blancs Blanches Voies is stellar. It offers tons of brilliance and energy, especially for a year in which most wines are quite a bit more radiant. It's a style that works quite well here, though. Crushed rocks, white pepper, mint and lemon peel all build as the 2012 shows off its alluring, saline-infused personality. This is an especially chiseled, finely cut 2012. I loved it. Disgorged: June, 2020. |
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Champagne | 81 | - |
Inc. TAX
€669.18 |
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Renowned for its remarkable taste and exquisite bouquet, the William Saintot Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV is an embodiment of excellence in the Champagne region. Produced by the skilled hands of vintner William Saintot, this Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV hails from the hallowed Premier Cru vineyards, where strict quality control results in an unmatched quality of grape. This vintage is made purely from Pinot Noir grapes, ensuring a robust flavour that expertly combines the fruit’s depth with the natural effervescence of fine champagne. The Champagne undergoes manual harvesting, traditional press, and lees aging, displaying an undeniable dedication to meticulous winemaking. Its taste profile is generous with a fine balance of dark fruits and delicate minerality. Soft on the palate, it boasts of an elegant mousse and a long, harmonious finish. The William Saintot Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV embodies the superior craftsmanship of the maison, offering a truly exquisite champagne experience. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€620.00 |
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Vinous (93)Bright yellow. Room-filling and utterly hypnotic aromas of ripe pear, quince paste, toffeed nuts, smoked meat, buttery brioche, potpourri and pungent flowers. Deep, round and rich, with powerful, densely concentrated orchard fruit flavors complicated by lichee, cherry pit, Asian spices, butter and toasted nuts. Firms up on the finish, with harmonious but substantial acids framing the deep fruit tones and the buttery note repeating on the back. This has the structure to repay many years in a cool cellar. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,005.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2006 Coeur de Cuvée is just starting to enter the early part of its plateau of maturity. Lemon confit, apricot, spice and lightly toasted notes give the wine much of its aromatic and flavor complexity. The 2006 was quite powerful at the outset, but over time it has become much more finessed and nuanced. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so. This is a terrific showing. Disgorged July 2013. |
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Champagne | 6 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€697.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is magnificent. In this vintage Laurent Champs balances the natural intensity of the year with tremendous energy and vibrancy, making for a Champagne of remarkable beauty. Like all the Vilmart wines, the 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is super-refined. Even so, it is also incredibly tight and nowhere near ready. I find its depth, power and tension absolutely compelling. Bright saline notes, spice and floral accents extend the eternal finish. The 2012 is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged: February 2019. Don't miss it! |
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Champagne | 2 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,095.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is magnificent. In this vintage Laurent Champs balances the natural intensity of the year with tremendous energy and vibrancy, making for a Champagne of remarkable beauty. Like all the Vilmart wines, the 2012 Coeur de Cuvée is super-refined. Even so, it is also incredibly tight and nowhere near ready. I find its depth, power and tension absolutely compelling. Bright saline notes, spice and floral accents extend the eternal finish. The 2012 is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged: February 2019. Don't miss it! |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€677.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2013 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is fabulous, not to mention and absolute must-buy for Vilmart fans. All of the tension of the late harvest comes through in a Champagne that dazzles with tension and energy. Bright acids drive a core of Chardonnay fruit. Citrus, white pepper, white flowers and crushed rocks abound. Readers should be in no rush to open the 2013, it's a wine for the cellar. Disgorged: December, 2020. |
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Champagne | 2 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€515.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2014 Brut Coeur de Cuvée impresses with its density and overall energy. Apricot, baked apple tart, spice, chamomile and lightly honeyed accents all meld together. The 2014 is deep and beautifully centered, with tons of poise and impeccable balance. It's a pretty big wine by Vilmart standards, and yet all the elements are so well put together. The blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Disgorged: March, 2021. |
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€618.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2015 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is a pretty dense wine that belies its deceptively mid-weight structure. What surprises me most about the 2015 is how closed it is. In most years, especially warm years, Coeur de Cuvée is quite a bit more open and voluptuous, but the 2015 does not come across like that at all. Rather, it is super-classic in bearing, with tons of gravitas from the 60-year-old vines just waiting to emerge. There are non of the awkward herbal notes that penalize so many wines. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2015 is a brilliant Coeur de Cuvée. |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
In Bond
€709.00 |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
In Bond
€652.00 |
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Champagne | 2 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€402.00 |
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Vinous (92)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. Disgorged: May 2022. |
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Champagne | 5 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€300.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017. |
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Champagne | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€204.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2012 Extra-Brut Les Blanc de Blancs Blanches Voies is stellar. It offers tons of brilliance and energy, especially for a year in which most wines are quite a bit more radiant. It's a style that works quite well here, though. Crushed rocks, white pepper, mint and lemon peel all build as the 2012 shows off its alluring, saline-infused personality. This is an especially chiseled, finely cut 2012. I loved it. Disgorged: June, 2020. |
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Champagne | 81 | - |
In Bond
€539.00 |
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Renowned for its remarkable taste and exquisite bouquet, the William Saintot Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV is an embodiment of excellence in the Champagne region. Produced by the skilled hands of vintner William Saintot, this Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV hails from the hallowed Premier Cru vineyards, where strict quality control results in an unmatched quality of grape. This vintage is made purely from Pinot Noir grapes, ensuring a robust flavour that expertly combines the fruit’s depth with the natural effervescence of fine champagne. The Champagne undergoes manual harvesting, traditional press, and lees aging, displaying an undeniable dedication to meticulous winemaking. Its taste profile is generous with a fine balance of dark fruits and delicate minerality. Soft on the palate, it boasts of an elegant mousse and a long, harmonious finish. The William Saintot Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru NV embodies the superior craftsmanship of the maison, offering a truly exquisite champagne experience. |
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