2005 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee

Vilmart' s 2005 Coeur de Cuvée is quite pretty, but just like last year, the wine lacks the depth and complexity of the very best years. Ideally the 2005 is best drunk over the next few years. This bottle was disgorged in January 2013.

Vilmart's 2005 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is seamless, inviting and beautifully textured from start to finish. It is a great choice for drinking now and over the next few years, while some of the more youthful wines in this range age. White flowers, mint, crushed rocks, lime and yellow stone fruits all meld together nicely, while sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. This is just about as good as it gets in 2005, an extremely uneven vintage in Champagne. I don’t expect the 2005 to be a long-term ager, but it is quite pretty now. Disgorged: December 2012.

(made from a blend of 80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir; aged on its less for 78 months and disgorged in December 2012): Bright yellow. Sexy, smoke-tinged aromas of ripe citrus fruits, poached pear and candied ginger. Spicy, penetrating and pure, offering intense Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors plus hints of honeysuckle and chamomile. Shows impressive urgency and focus on the finish, with the floral note echoing.