2003 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee
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Tasting notes
(made from an 80/20 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir and disgorged September, 2011): Light yellow. White peach, quinine and jasmine on the nose and in the mouth, complicated by suggestions of exotic fruits and vanilla bean. Highly concentrated but lithe as well, offering a wild combination of richness and energy, with a dusty mineral component contributing to the wine's incisive character. Closes sappy and extremely long, leaving smoke, vanilla and floral notes behind. Graceful and lively for the vintage, with the balance to age.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Honey, wild flowers, nectarines and pastry are some of the many nuances that emerge from the 2003 Brut Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée. A rich, full-bodied wine, the 2003 is very much the product of the torrid vintage. Still, all things considered, the 2003 retains gorgeous freshness to match its juicy, extroverted personality. Hints of succulent tropical fruit flesh out on the generous, expressive finish. Overall, this is a more than solid effort for the year. The Coeur de Cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from the Blanches Voies Hautes in Rilly la Montagne. Disgorgement date: September 2011.
Honey, wild flowers, nectarines and pastry are some of the many nuances that emerge from the 2003 Brut Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvee. A rich, full-bodied wine, the 2003 is very much the product of the torrid vintage. Still, all things considered, the 2003 retains gorgeous freshness to match its juicy, extroverted personality. Hints of succulent tropical fruit flesh out on the generous, expressive finish. Overall, this is a more than solid effort for the year. The Coeur de Cuvee is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from the Blanches Voies Hautes in Rilly la Montagne. Disgorgement date: September 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Laurent Champs crafts impeccable, elegant Champagnes of the highest level. The Vilmart Champagnes are so delicious when they are released I doubt too many are purchased for cellaring, but the reality is that the wines also age exceptionally well. A Terry Theise Selection, imported by Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300
20% Pinot Noir, 80% Chardonnay. Aged 10 months in barriques, some new, though the oak is still in the background. Lovely creamy aroma though all quite tightly held together. Rich, rounded, meaiy texture but not lacking finesse and freshness – fresher than I expected for such a warm vintage. Though perhaps not one for the very long term. Creamy, biscuity aftertaste with a tiniest hint of orange. (JH)