Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

Champagne Vilmart & Cie.

June 2016

The story of Vilmart begins in 1872, with Desire Vilmart, founding a small Champagne company in the hamlet of Rilly in the Montagne de Reims. Five generations of family leadership later Laurent Champs has elevated the winery to the top of the "grower-producer" Champagne movement. It is these artisan-sized wineries that really deliver the most exciting wines in the region.

Like Krug, Vilmart believes that fermentation and élevage in oak is the most effective means of developing a full spectrum of aromas, tastes, and textures. Celebrated importer/writer Terry Thiese raves about this house:

"It's clear to me Vilmart is a Champagne house of unassailable consequence, a must-have for anyone interested in the possibilities of this most suavely powerful and graceful of all wines. Casks are hardly the point anymore. Organic viticulture, (truly!) low yields, remarkable polish of fruit, and the deliberate patient pursuit of perfection makes Laurent Champs' estate a gemstone gleaming among the chalk."

"Poor man's Krug", "mini Krug" and "The greatest grower Champagne I know." - Tom Stevenson, Decanter magazine, May 2007

These are all available now, except for the 3 litre bottles, which will be ordered for each reservation. That offer closes in 2 weeks.

Each wine comes in cases of six bottles. Contact me to order.

All my best,
Chris.

"Grand Cellier" Non-Vintage Brut Premier Cru
$85.95 per 750 ml bottle, cases of 6
$509.95 per 3000 ml bottle, cases of 6**

The blend for Grand Cellier is 70% Chardonnay which brings elegance, tropicality and acidity to this wine while 30% Pinot Noir provides the fruitiness, richness and roundness. It is "classic" Vilmart and it is hard to believe this is the "entry-point" wine.

"An explosion of flavour, with ripe nectarine, lemon curd, clover honey, jasmine and grilled nut notes set on a firm, fine china-like frame. Disgorged May 2014. Best from 2017 through 2025."

94 points, Wine Spectator, Sept 2015

"Bright straw. Explosive, seductively perfumed aromas of fresh pear, honeydew and jasmine, along with hints of iodine and tarragon. Silky and broad in the mouth, offering intense orchard and pit fruit flavours and a hint of toasty lees. Shows outstanding clarity and power on the finish, which echoes the floral and leesy notes."

92 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Jan 2015

**allow up to 12 weeks before we will contact you to arrange delivery of the 3 litres

"Cuvée Rubis" Non-Vintage Brut Premier Cru
$97.95 per bottle, cases of 6
(limited availability)

In my opinion, rosé Champagne is simply the greatest style of wine one can enjoy. It is my "desert island" wine. If I could drink nothing else I would be a very happy man.

As far as "food wine" is concerned there is not a more versatile style of wine than this. The high acidity, red fruit flavours and rich mouthfeel compliment any number of dishes, from canapés to pan fried fish to grilled ribeyes, even dessert and cheeses.

Cuvée Rubis is an exceptional example of artisan Premier Cru rosé Champagne and we are proud to have even a few cases to offer our clients.

"(90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay; 10 g/l dosage; disgorged in September, 2013): Light, bright orange. Powerful red berry and orange pith aromas are complicated by notes of vanilla, brioche and potpourri. Sappy and sharply focused on the palate, offering intense strawberry and blood orange flavours and a zesty kick of white pepper. Closes creamy and very long, with resonating spiciness and an exotic touch of candied rose."

93 points, Josh Reynolds vinous.com, Jan 2015

"Coeur de Cuvée" 2007 Premier Cru
$166.95 per bottle, cases of 6
(limited availability)

In a Vintage year Vilmart's "Coeur de Cuvée" is widely considered to be a "Top 10" wine in the region, far more affordable than many quality contemporaries, and in years when not all wineries make a vintage Champagne, it is the best.

The 2001 will live forever in my memory as one of the most vivid wines I've ever tasted - and that was not a "good" growing season in the Champagne region. Neither was 2007.

It's easy to buy Dom Perignon - walk into any wine store on the planet, you'll find loads of it I'm sure. You can buy it now at LCBO's "Essentials" counter for $230. Or you can have a hand-made Champagne of exquisite complexity and beauty that I think is even better.

"Another gorgeous wine, the 2007 Coeur de Cuvée is rich, ample and totally seductive. In 2007, the Coeur de Cuvée is intensely aromatic and highly expressive, with striking textural resonance throughout. Creamy and spherical through to the finish, the 2007 is a model of elegance and sumptuousness. The 2007 can be enjoyed today for its generous personality or cellared for another decade-plus. Disgorged March 2014. 2016 - 2027"

94+ points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, July 2015

"This will continue Laurent's streak of making the best wine in Champagne from "difficult" vintages, and indeed this is as good as the GREAT 2001-and maybe better. It brings a nettle-y green sting to the magnificent grace and concentration of this ever-improving wine. The length is replete with pepper, leather and verbena; the salt and stocky savour are mind- bending-dried porcini, rare duck breast, clove and satsumas, all into a seemingly endless finish you want scoop back out of your mouth and drink again."

3/3 stars, Terry Thiese 2015

Chris McLean

direct 647 955 8872
office 416 961 2294 x 29