Joss Salgado

9.2

Bruised apple, ripe pineapple, chamomile, white lilies, smokey, a hint of flint stone. Luscious and sophisticated, we really loved this wine. Looking forward to tasting other vintages. — 8 days ago

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. — 2 months 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! — 3 months ago

Kath Rt

9.1

citrusy, fresh… It would be my “second option”… but its really nice… — 4 months ago

Angela Sanks

10

So velvety and rich! This vintage is #3 wine spectator / cab / full body!! — 17 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Plenty of tannins left. 25bucks. Those were the days! 14%| Quite classic. Browne tinge. Needs at least 2-3 hours of air. Quite harsh and astringent. Roses, earthy and dusty, very dry. Hint of truffles. - Not super exciting at first (15min) so wait. Will last another 10 years - but i do worry about the fruit component if you need space in your cellar - i would suggest drink up. I will. Some folks tend to hype these wines i don’t - after all this is their most basic version with a large production volume. Total volume is 500,000 bottles a year at this cooperative. My guess they to make a lot of this one. — a month 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! — 3 months ago

Todd Anderson

9.3

Beautiful, classic aged Bordeaux that is drinking very well right now but shows signs it could continue improving. Unfortunately I only have one more bottle so will drink that in the next 2-3 years. Cheers! — 21 days ago

Odair Ferronato

9.5

Fantastic!!! — 2 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. — 2 months ago