WTN: Ballon d'Or

[David M. Bueker]

• 2010 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier d'Or - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (5/10/2020)
  Opened for a Zoom conference with Laurent Champs of Vilmart, this was a joy to drink. The depth is the most obvious element - it has great richness and a long, weighty finish. It's not heavy, it just keeps pressure on your palate, while dancing around, not allowing you to catch it. Apples, yellow plum, a touch of brioche, and a finishing minerality from the fresh acids, make a complex and compelling drink. It was a fabulous match with our blue cheese gougeres, and we lingered over the rest of the bottle for several hours, savoring every drop.

Thanks for that note. I rarely drink champagne but was in the mood for a bottle a few weeks ago and remembered some good previous experiences with Vilmart.

Locally, I could get the Grand Cellier NV (mostly based on 2009), but apparently it is a big step down from what you had? The price was not encouraging so I ended up getting the 2013 Chartogne-Taillet Chemin de Reims and was thoroughly satisfied. (Although since then, said local establishment has put the Grand Cellier NV on sale, so I may be tempted).

[David M. Bueker]

A couple of things:

- The Grand Cellier NV is still a really good wine.It's not an entry level NV. Vilmart has an entry level wine, but it rarely comes to the USA. Since Vilmart discontinued the Cuvee Creation, both the Grand Cellier and the Grand Cellier d'Or have taken big steps up in quality.

- That Chartogne-Taillet is a fantastic wine. If I had the choice, I would take the Chartogne-Taillet three times out of four.