In the glass

Full-bodiedRacy acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: Anjou pear, waxy citrus rind, bee pollen, white flowers, blanched almond

Palate: taut incisive structure, racy acid, chalky extract, pinpoint mousse

An oak-fermented Premier Cru cuvee: Anjou pear and waxy citrus over bee pollen, white flowers and blanched almond, taut and incisive with racy acid and chalky structuring extract.

What it pairs with

  • Roast chicken Find roast chicken on TableJourney →
    Oak-driven structure meets roasted poultry.
  • Comte
    Almond and pollen depth echo the aged cheese.
  • Sole meuniere
    Racy chalk frames delicate white fish.

How to serve Vilmart Grand Cellier

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 6-8°C. Cellar temperature (6-8°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a tulip flute. A tulip shape rewards the bouquet better than a narrow flute and frames the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Roast chicken, Comte, Sole meuniere. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Grand Cellier is Vilmart's flagship oak-fermented Premier Cru cuvee from Rilly-la-Montagne, unusual for a Montagne de Reims grower in its use of large casks.

  1. 1989 — Grand Cellier established as the estate flagship

Facts

Producer
Champagne Vilmart & Cie
Grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Classification
AOC Champagne
Oak
Large oak-cask fermentation; Premier Cru Rilly-la-Montagne
ABV
12.0%
Price
EUR 55 to 80 at retail
Drinking window
now to 10 from release
First vintage
1989

Scores

  • Vinous 91

Frequently asked about Vilmart Grand Cellier

What does Vilmart Grand Cellier taste like?

On the nose, Anjou pear, waxy citrus rind, bee pollen, white flowers, blanched almond. On the palate, taut incisive structure, racy acid, chalky extract, pinpoint mousse. Structurally full-bodied, racy acidity with a long finish. An oak-fermented Premier Cru cuvee: Anjou pear and waxy citrus over bee pollen, white flowers and blanched almond, taut and incisive with racy acid and chalky structuring extract.

When should I drink Vilmart Grand Cellier?

Drink now to 10 from release. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Vilmart Grand Cellier?

Roast chicken is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Comte and Sole meuniere. Oak-driven structure meets roasted poultry.

What grapes are in Vilmart Grand Cellier?

The blend is Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. The wine is classified as AOC Champagne.

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