Vilmart et Cie Vilmart Grande Reserve NV

Vilmart Grande Réserve NV is a characterful grower Champagne from one of the region’s most respected family domaines. Crafted in the Premier Cru village of Rilly-la-Montagne, this cuvée marries precision, depth and finesse in a way that overdelivers for its category. As one of the early standard-bearers for artisanal, estate-grown Champagne, Vilmart has become a benchmark for wine lovers seeking authenticity and craftsmanship in every bottle.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Vilmart Grande Réserve NV shows a bright, lemon-gold hue with a fine, persistent mousse and elegant bead. The nose offers an inviting mix of ripe orchard fruits—pear, yellow apple and Mirabelle plum—layered with citrus zest, white flowers, fresh brioche, and a subtle nutty, creamy undertone from oak élevage. On the palate, this Champagne is vibrant yet textural, typically based on a majority of Pinot Noir complemented by Chardonnay, giving both structure and lift. Expect a core of juicy stone and orchard fruits, balanced by chalky minerality and a line of mouthwatering acidity. Notes of toasted hazelnut, pastry cream and a gentle spice echo on the long, clean finish. While fully enjoyable on release, an additional 2–4 years in bottle will further knit the fruit, autolytic notes and oak into an even more complex and harmonious whole.

Production
The grapes for Grande Réserve are sourced from Vilmart’s own Premier Cru vineyards around Rilly-la-Montagne, where chalk and limestone-rich soils with clay topsoils give both tension and depth to the wines. Yields are kept low and fruit is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to preserve purity and balance. True to the house style, the base wines are fermented and partially matured in large oak foudres, with no malolactic fermentation, to retain freshness while building texture and complexity. The wine then rests on its lees in bottle for an extended period before disgorgement, allowing the fine mousse and signature brioche nuances to develop naturally.

Food & Serving
Vilmart Grande Réserve NV is an exceptionally versatile food Champagne, ideal with seafood such as oysters, scallops, shrimp, or lightly grilled fish, as well as poultry, sushi, charcuterie, and soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Chaource. Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its precision and mineral drive. A brief 10–15 minutes in the glass—or a very short decant in a carafe—can help the wine open up aromatically, especially if served with more richly flavored dishes.

Producer
Founded in 1890, Vilmart et Cie is a historic family-owned grower in the village of Rilly-la-Montagne, in the Montagne de Reims. As récoltant-manipulant, they work exclusively with their own Premier Cru vineyards, an approach that has made them a reference point for terroir-driven Champagne. Under the guidance of Laurent Champs, the estate has gained a cult following among sommeliers and collectors for its Burgundian-inspired methods—fermentation and élevage in oak, no malolactic fermentation, and meticulous vineyard work. Vilmart’s wines regularly feature in top Champagne rankings and are widely regarded as some of the finest grower Champagnes in the region.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.