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Wine Advocate (93+)
Aromas of pear, orange oil, freshly baked bread, toasted almonds and white flowers introduce the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Cépage (2020 base), disgorged in January 2023. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's fleshy and enveloping, with a ripe core of fruit, bright acids and a saline finish.Inc. VAT£542.44 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Disgorged in January 2023, the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Terroir (2020 base) is following hard on the heels of its 2019-base counterpart. A little more reserved out of the gates, it unwinds to reveal notes of pear, citrus oil, white flowers and almond paste, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise palate that's fine-boned, bright and mineral.Inc. VAT£427.24 -
Vinous (94)
The NV Extra Brut Grand Cru Complantée emerges from a parcel in Avize interplanted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Arbane, Petit Meslier and Chardonnay. Exotic and beguiling in the glass, the Complantée is absolutely gorgeous. Kirsch, red plum, rose petal and spice give the wine striking aromatic intensity and lovely inner perfume. The red grapes seem especially expressive in this release. The Complantée is not an obvious wine, rather it is a Champagne of translucent finesse. This release is a blend of equal parts 2017 and 2016, vinified in neutral oak. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2020.Inc. VAT£639.64 -
Inc. VAT£156.83 -
A family-run Champagne house with a history dating back to 1878, many of the grapes grown by Maison Bénard Pitois are bought by Bollinger but they keep selected parcels from their 1er Cru vines in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ to create this excellent value Brut Réserve and their other releases.
Made from a blend of 60% Pinot and 40% Chardonnay, it was aged for 30 months on lees, double the usual Non-Vintage ageing period of 15 months, and elegant brioche and almond complexity really shines through. It was also partly aged in wooden barrels, which has given it the richness..
Inc. VAT£153.64 -
James Suckling (93)
Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now.Inc. VAT£411.64 -
James Suckling (93)
Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now.Inc. VAT£486.04 -
Richard Juhlin (95)
The presentation is brilliant and is reminiscent of the house's legendary blanc de noirs Bollinger ’Vieilles Vignes Françaises’….. A Verzenay blanc de noirs with sprinkles of Aÿ, Bouzy and Tauxières, where 50% of the wine comes from 2015 with reserve wines on magnum dating from 2009. Verzenay and Aÿ are, as you know, the dominant villages in Bollinger's vintage wines. Verzenay is often the chalky and mineral-rich backbone of Bollinger's vintage build-up. The wine is vibrantly fresh, mineral-driven and extremely pure. There is a clarity and sharpness that is outstanding, where gunpowder notes and aroma of grilled meat develop as the glass warms up slightly. I love this wine as it is a perfect creation from one of the most important villages in the whole of Champagne dominated by the aforementioned minerality, but also with notes of violet and red grapefruit so typical of Verzenay of the highest class. On aeration the scent develops more and more notes of pears, figs and freshly baked baguette and the taste develops towards peach and apricot jam. Personally, though, I will wait as long as I can before opening my own bottles to get the increasing depth of caramel and grilled hazelnut flavour that only time in the cellar can provide.Inc. VAT£670.84 -
Richard Juhlin (95)
The presentation is brilliant and is reminiscent of the house's legendary blanc de noirs Bollinger ’Vieilles Vignes Françaises’….. A Verzenay blanc de noirs with sprinkles of Aÿ, Bouzy and Tauxières, where 50% of the wine comes from 2015 with reserve wines on magnum dating from 2009. Verzenay and Aÿ are, as you know, the dominant villages in Bollinger's vintage wines. Verzenay is often the chalky and mineral-rich backbone of Bollinger's vintage build-up. The wine is vibrantly fresh, mineral-driven and extremely pure. There is a clarity and sharpness that is outstanding, where gunpowder notes and aroma of grilled meat develop as the glass warms up slightly. I love this wine as it is a perfect creation from one of the most important villages in the whole of Champagne dominated by the aforementioned minerality, but also with notes of violet and red grapefruit so typical of Verzenay of the highest class. On aeration the scent develops more and more notes of pears, figs and freshly baked baguette and the taste develops towards peach and apricot jam. Personally, though, I will wait as long as I can before opening my own bottles to get the increasing depth of caramel and grilled hazelnut flavour that only time in the cellar can provide.Inc. VAT£645.64 -
Decanter (95)
Produced exclusively from vineyards owned by Bollinger, this takes advantage of the dynamic equilibrium between the structured, robust Pinot Noir grape and a terroir that is late-ripening. Picking began on 25 September and delivered a wine with plenty of concentration and impressive freshness and balance, with expressive green apple fruit accented with notes of toast and smoke and a creamy, supple, and open texture. Dosed at 6 g/l. Disgorged in November 2020.Inc. VAT£518.44 -
Inc. VAT£252.04 -
Vinous (94)
The NV (2016) Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs ADN de Foudre Meunier emerges from vines in Festigny and Le Breuil planted in 1976. Weightless and yet powerful the 2016 possesses tremendous nuance and complexity. Lifted floral notes lend brightness throughout. Lemon confit, marzipan and dried flowers add the closing layers of complexity. No dosage. Disgorged: August, 2021.Inc. VAT£414.04 -
Highly recommended by William Kelley and recognised as one of the region's most enigmatic and experimental winemakers, today we have the pleasure to offer his multi-vintage blend, Réseve Extra Brut. This is Manu's expression of the quintessential joie-de-vivre of Champagne, and the current release is based predominantly on 2012 with reserve wines from 2010 up to 2014.
This is a pure Chardonnay oozing tremendous class. Sourced from exquisite plots across Montgueux, these vineyards are cultivated organically with the harvest took place at perfect maturity. All cuvées, including the rare Réserve Extra Brut, are disgorged without dosage.
Inc. VAT£373.24 -
Vinous (94)
The Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 742, based on the 2014 vintage, is a gorgeous wine. In this release, the Cuvée seems especially marked by Pinot in both its flavor profile and texture. Dried pear, hazelnut, mint, chamomile and dried flowers all grace this rich, beautifully resonant Champagne from Jacquesson. Best of all, the 742 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The 700-series Champagnes are often superb; the 742 is an especially fine edition. The blend is 59% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Dizy and Hautvillers) and 41% Chardonnay (from Avize and Oiry). Dosage is 1.5 grams per liter.Inc. VAT£555.64 -
James Suckling (99)
The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year), with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple, pie crust and floral character. It's salty and zesty yet, at the same time, complex and gorgeous. Chamomile and other floral teas highlight everything. Turns rich and flavorful at the finish. Terrific release. Really takes off at the end. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£1,183.24 -
Jancis Robinson (19)
A blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest the acclaimed 2012, back to a precious, powerfully aromatic lot of Verzenay Pinot Noir 1996. The final blend – 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier – was bottled in 2013 and aged for seven years in Krug’s cellars in Reims. Yields in 2012 were 20% lower than usual because of a succession of meteorological events including frost, rain, storms and hail in winter and spring 2012, followed by the driest ripening season since 1974. Notably intense aroma with crème pâtissière dominant. Masses of extract and remarkable acidity underpinned by great depth of flavour and beautiful balance on the finish. I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Krug Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come. I suspect it will be even more enjoyable from the end of 2020. The length on the palate is remarkable. This is magnificently precise, a great tribute to the work of the old cellarmaster Eric Lebel, who is still in the background, and a wonderful welcome to his successor Julie Cavil, who has been learning from him since 2006.Inc. VAT£1,339.24 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Very vibrant, a bit of a brisk wake-up call. A cold shower of a wine! But very good zestiness. Very, very clean. Lovely aperitif, lots of character. Not that long though.Inc. VAT£428.47 -
Wine Spectator (91)
Shows finesse, along with depth to its honey, candied citrus and mineral flavors. Lovely balance and harmony render it seamless and graceful.Inc. VAT£463.24 -
Decanter (93)
Richly biscuity on the nose, with steamed rice, fresh pear and citrus blossom complexity. Creamy mousse dissolves into red apple peel, lemon and stone fruits, with a depth of honeyed biscuits. The Reserve NV from Pol Roger is a blend of base wines from at least three vintages. With 6 months of post-disgorgement ageing, the wine is ready to enjoy now.Inc. VAT£241.24 -
Displaying a strong, solid bead at the core of a pale-straw colour in the glass, it is immediately obvious that this is a cut above standard NV Champagne. The nose is at once powerful with ripe Granny Smith apples and seductive jasmine, tempered and restrained by pithier notes of grapefruit alongside an intriguing hint of chopped walnut. There is also a wonderfully generous depth of red currant fruit towards the back of the aromatic profile, conveying its predominance of Pinot Noir. The palate demonstrates its immediate quality once again with a very serious texture to the mousse which simply cannot be imitated, as well as a slightly prickly bead keeping the tongue alert to an attack of crisp apple and kiwi skin, moving into a gently sweet mid-palate before rounding off with a lick of oyster shell minerality. The skillful blending of Reserve Perpetuelle is a timely reminder that this is an art in which the Champenois have few rivals. The tension between rounded well-judged ripeness and austere, pitch-perfect acidity is something to behold, especially when we are used to paying significantly more to experience it. If Pinot is the guts and glory of this wine, Chardonnay is definitely the supporting arches, book-ending proceedings.Inc. VAT£475.24 -
The Siret Grand Cru is a serious wine with a decidedly aristocratic personality. A rich shade of lemony straw in the glass, the bead is impeccably fine and consistent, promising a great texture on the palate. Complex on the nose, the notes immediately tend towards the darker side of the spectrum, with slightly bruised Williams pear and a haunting perfume of forest floor after a downpour. Classically for its varietal (100% Chardonnay), there is a lovely aroma of freshly shucked sweet garden pea alongside charming florals, as if the breeze was carrying perfume from the rose bush down into the vegetable patch. There is a toasty aspect to the Champagne being made as it is in the méthode traditionnelle, but in the Siret it tends more towards freshly baked biscuits than yeasty bread - equally seductive but less dominant. The promise of the bead is certainly kept in the mouth, with its creamy enveloping texture arguably the most impressive component of the wine. Such is its structure that it almost feels oily on the palate, before lovely flavours of pistachio, stroopwaffle and granite minerality emerge behind ripe lemons and crisp pear. There is serious complexity in this wine, which is balanced by prominent acidity, and will allow it to age very well.Inc. VAT£373.24 -
Decanter (96)
The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous.Inc. VAT£367.24 -
Wine Spectator (92)
Tightly knit, focused by racy acidity and a streak of minerality, this offers subtle notes of white peach, anise, biscuit and kumquat. The refined finish echoes a smoky note.Inc. VAT£405.64 -
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.Inc. VAT£416.44
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Wine Advocate (93+)
Aromas of pear, orange oil, freshly baked bread, toasted almonds and white flowers introduce the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Cépage (2020 base), disgorged in January 2023. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's fleshy and enveloping, with a ripe core of fruit, bright acids and a saline finish.In Bond£436.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Disgorged in January 2023, the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Terroir (2020 base) is following hard on the heels of its 2019-base counterpart. A little more reserved out of the gates, it unwinds to reveal notes of pear, citrus oil, white flowers and almond paste, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise palate that's fine-boned, bright and mineral.In Bond£340.00 -
Vinous (94)
The NV Extra Brut Grand Cru Complantée emerges from a parcel in Avize interplanted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Arbane, Petit Meslier and Chardonnay. Exotic and beguiling in the glass, the Complantée is absolutely gorgeous. Kirsch, red plum, rose petal and spice give the wine striking aromatic intensity and lovely inner perfume. The red grapes seem especially expressive in this release. The Complantée is not an obvious wine, rather it is a Champagne of translucent finesse. This release is a blend of equal parts 2017 and 2016, vinified in neutral oak. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2020.In Bond£517.00 -
In Bond£120.00
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A family-run Champagne house with a history dating back to 1878, many of the grapes grown by Maison Bénard Pitois are bought by Bollinger but they keep selected parcels from their 1er Cru vines in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ to create this excellent value Brut Réserve and their other releases.
Made from a blend of 60% Pinot and 40% Chardonnay, it was aged for 30 months on lees, double the usual Non-Vintage ageing period of 15 months, and elegant brioche and almond complexity really shines through. It was also partly aged in wooden barrels, which has given it the richness..
In Bond£112.00 -
James Suckling (93)
Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now.In Bond£327.00 -
James Suckling (93)
Cinnamon and dried nutmeg add to the experience of bread dough and rose petals. Flavorful on the medium-bodied palate and finely poised with bright acidity. Medium-long on the finish. Drink now.In Bond£389.00 -
Richard Juhlin (95)
The presentation is brilliant and is reminiscent of the house's legendary blanc de noirs Bollinger ’Vieilles Vignes Françaises’….. A Verzenay blanc de noirs with sprinkles of Aÿ, Bouzy and Tauxières, where 50% of the wine comes from 2015 with reserve wines on magnum dating from 2009. Verzenay and Aÿ are, as you know, the dominant villages in Bollinger's vintage wines. Verzenay is often the chalky and mineral-rich backbone of Bollinger's vintage build-up. The wine is vibrantly fresh, mineral-driven and extremely pure. There is a clarity and sharpness that is outstanding, where gunpowder notes and aroma of grilled meat develop as the glass warms up slightly. I love this wine as it is a perfect creation from one of the most important villages in the whole of Champagne dominated by the aforementioned minerality, but also with notes of violet and red grapefruit so typical of Verzenay of the highest class. On aeration the scent develops more and more notes of pears, figs and freshly baked baguette and the taste develops towards peach and apricot jam. Personally, though, I will wait as long as I can before opening my own bottles to get the increasing depth of caramel and grilled hazelnut flavour that only time in the cellar can provide.In Bond£543.00 -
Richard Juhlin (95)
The presentation is brilliant and is reminiscent of the house's legendary blanc de noirs Bollinger ’Vieilles Vignes Françaises’….. A Verzenay blanc de noirs with sprinkles of Aÿ, Bouzy and Tauxières, where 50% of the wine comes from 2015 with reserve wines on magnum dating from 2009. Verzenay and Aÿ are, as you know, the dominant villages in Bollinger's vintage wines. Verzenay is often the chalky and mineral-rich backbone of Bollinger's vintage build-up. The wine is vibrantly fresh, mineral-driven and extremely pure. There is a clarity and sharpness that is outstanding, where gunpowder notes and aroma of grilled meat develop as the glass warms up slightly. I love this wine as it is a perfect creation from one of the most important villages in the whole of Champagne dominated by the aforementioned minerality, but also with notes of violet and red grapefruit so typical of Verzenay of the highest class. On aeration the scent develops more and more notes of pears, figs and freshly baked baguette and the taste develops towards peach and apricot jam. Personally, though, I will wait as long as I can before opening my own bottles to get the increasing depth of caramel and grilled hazelnut flavour that only time in the cellar can provide.In Bond£522.00 -
Decanter (95)
Produced exclusively from vineyards owned by Bollinger, this takes advantage of the dynamic equilibrium between the structured, robust Pinot Noir grape and a terroir that is late-ripening. Picking began on 25 September and delivered a wine with plenty of concentration and impressive freshness and balance, with expressive green apple fruit accented with notes of toast and smoke and a creamy, supple, and open texture. Dosed at 6 g/l. Disgorged in November 2020.In Bond£416.00 -
In Bond£194.00
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Vinous (94)
The NV (2016) Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs ADN de Foudre Meunier emerges from vines in Festigny and Le Breuil planted in 1976. Weightless and yet powerful the 2016 possesses tremendous nuance and complexity. Lifted floral notes lend brightness throughout. Lemon confit, marzipan and dried flowers add the closing layers of complexity. No dosage. Disgorged: August, 2021.In Bond£329.00 -
Highly recommended by William Kelley and recognised as one of the region's most enigmatic and experimental winemakers, today we have the pleasure to offer his multi-vintage blend, Réseve Extra Brut. This is Manu's expression of the quintessential joie-de-vivre of Champagne, and the current release is based predominantly on 2012 with reserve wines from 2010 up to 2014.
This is a pure Chardonnay oozing tremendous class. Sourced from exquisite plots across Montgueux, these vineyards are cultivated organically with the harvest took place at perfect maturity. All cuvées, including the rare Réserve Extra Brut, are disgorged without dosage.
In Bond£295.00 -
Vinous (94)
The Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 742, based on the 2014 vintage, is a gorgeous wine. In this release, the Cuvée seems especially marked by Pinot in both its flavor profile and texture. Dried pear, hazelnut, mint, chamomile and dried flowers all grace this rich, beautifully resonant Champagne from Jacquesson. Best of all, the 742 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The 700-series Champagnes are often superb; the 742 is an especially fine edition. The blend is 59% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Dizy and Hautvillers) and 41% Chardonnay (from Avize and Oiry). Dosage is 1.5 grams per liter.In Bond£447.00 -
James Suckling (99)
The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year), with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple, pie crust and floral character. It's salty and zesty yet, at the same time, complex and gorgeous. Chamomile and other floral teas highlight everything. Turns rich and flavorful at the finish. Terrific release. Really takes off at the end. Drink or hold.In Bond£970.00 -
Jancis Robinson (19)
A blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest the acclaimed 2012, back to a precious, powerfully aromatic lot of Verzenay Pinot Noir 1996. The final blend – 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier – was bottled in 2013 and aged for seven years in Krug’s cellars in Reims. Yields in 2012 were 20% lower than usual because of a succession of meteorological events including frost, rain, storms and hail in winter and spring 2012, followed by the driest ripening season since 1974. Notably intense aroma with crème pâtissière dominant. Masses of extract and remarkable acidity underpinned by great depth of flavour and beautiful balance on the finish. I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Krug Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come. I suspect it will be even more enjoyable from the end of 2020. The length on the palate is remarkable. This is magnificently precise, a great tribute to the work of the old cellarmaster Eric Lebel, who is still in the background, and a wonderful welcome to his successor Julie Cavil, who has been learning from him since 2006.In Bond£1,100.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Very vibrant, a bit of a brisk wake-up call. A cold shower of a wine! But very good zestiness. Very, very clean. Lovely aperitif, lots of character. Not that long though.In Bond£325.00 -
Wine Spectator (91)
Shows finesse, along with depth to its honey, candied citrus and mineral flavors. Lovely balance and harmony render it seamless and graceful.In Bond£370.00 -
Decanter (93)
Richly biscuity on the nose, with steamed rice, fresh pear and citrus blossom complexity. Creamy mousse dissolves into red apple peel, lemon and stone fruits, with a depth of honeyed biscuits. The Reserve NV from Pol Roger is a blend of base wines from at least three vintages. With 6 months of post-disgorgement ageing, the wine is ready to enjoy now.In Bond£185.00 -
Displaying a strong, solid bead at the core of a pale-straw colour in the glass, it is immediately obvious that this is a cut above standard NV Champagne. The nose is at once powerful with ripe Granny Smith apples and seductive jasmine, tempered and restrained by pithier notes of grapefruit alongside an intriguing hint of chopped walnut. There is also a wonderfully generous depth of red currant fruit towards the back of the aromatic profile, conveying its predominance of Pinot Noir. The palate demonstrates its immediate quality once again with a very serious texture to the mousse which simply cannot be imitated, as well as a slightly prickly bead keeping the tongue alert to an attack of crisp apple and kiwi skin, moving into a gently sweet mid-palate before rounding off with a lick of oyster shell minerality. The skillful blending of Reserve Perpetuelle is a timely reminder that this is an art in which the Champenois have few rivals. The tension between rounded well-judged ripeness and austere, pitch-perfect acidity is something to behold, especially when we are used to paying significantly more to experience it. If Pinot is the guts and glory of this wine, Chardonnay is definitely the supporting arches, book-ending proceedings.In Bond£380.00
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The Siret Grand Cru is a serious wine with a decidedly aristocratic personality. A rich shade of lemony straw in the glass, the bead is impeccably fine and consistent, promising a great texture on the palate. Complex on the nose, the notes immediately tend towards the darker side of the spectrum, with slightly bruised Williams pear and a haunting perfume of forest floor after a downpour. Classically for its varietal (100% Chardonnay), there is a lovely aroma of freshly shucked sweet garden pea alongside charming florals, as if the breeze was carrying perfume from the rose bush down into the vegetable patch. There is a toasty aspect to the Champagne being made as it is in the méthode traditionnelle, but in the Siret it tends more towards freshly baked biscuits than yeasty bread - equally seductive but less dominant. The promise of the bead is certainly kept in the mouth, with its creamy enveloping texture arguably the most impressive component of the wine. Such is its structure that it almost feels oily on the palate, before lovely flavours of pistachio, stroopwaffle and granite minerality emerge behind ripe lemons and crisp pear. There is serious complexity in this wine, which is balanced by prominent acidity, and will allow it to age very well.In Bond£295.00
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Decanter (96)
The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous.In Bond£290.00 -
Wine Spectator (92)
Tightly knit, focused by racy acidity and a streak of minerality, this offers subtle notes of white peach, anise, biscuit and kumquat. The refined finish echoes a smoky note.In Bond£322.00 -
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.In Bond£331.00
