The 2011 Grand Cellier d'Or vintage from Vilmart Champagne in a magnum bottle is a vibrant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, vinified without malolactic fermentation and aged in wood. Its aromatic complexity, crisp freshness, and mineral tension make it a champagne with character, distinction, and great elegance. A rare bottle, made for fine dining and aging.
The production of the 2011 Grand Cellier d'Or Vilmart
The Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 cuvée perfectly illustrates the Vilmart house style: vinous, precise and uncompromising. It is vinified like a great Burgundy white wine, combining aromatic depth and crystalline balance.
The cuvée is made from:
- 80% Chardonnay: dominant, it brings freshness, minerality and vertical structure.
- 20% Pinot Noir: for roundness, aromatic richness and vinosity.
The terroir
Champagne Vilmart is located in Rilly-la-Montagne, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims. The perfectly drained clay-limestone and chalky soils allow for slow and regular ripening. The terroir gives the grapes intense aromatic expression and imbues the wine with distinctive tension and energy.
Vinification
The 2011 vintage was aged for 10 months in 228-liter oak barrels, without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve the natural freshness of the juice. This choice reinforces the structure of the wine, while developing toasted and spicy aromas. The champagne is then aged on lees before disgorging. The dosage is imperceptible, in keeping with the Extra-Brut style.
The 2011 vintage
A complex year in Champagne, 2011 required rigorous work in the vineyard. At Vilmart, the harvest was perfectly controlled, resulting in a cuvée that fully expresses the maturity of Chardonnay and the concentration of Pinot Noir. The Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 reveals the purity of a great vintage vinified without artifice, with a natural and assertive style.
Tasting notes
Color
The color of the "Grand Cellier d'Or 2011" is intense golden yellow with lemon and gold highlights. The bubbles are very fine and regular.
Nose
The first nose is intense, complex and refined: melted butter, candied pineapple, pastry cream, with hints of cardamom and white pepper. This is followed by notes of dried fruit (praline, hazelnut) and a chalky mineral texture. As it evolves in the glass, nuances of cinnamon and gingerbread emerge.
Palate
On the palate, the wine is fresh, lively and intensely expressive. The tension is marked, balanced by a woody and spicy vinosity. The whole is dynamic, intense and precise. The finish is long, salty, with notes of grapefruit and praline.
Serving suggestions
- Cubes of 24-month-old Comté cheese
- Scallop tartare with lemon
- Parmesan and nutmeg puff pastries
- Free-range chicken with morel sauce
- Risotto with langoustines and orange zest
- Trout meunière with heirloom vegetables
- Poached pear and Champagne sabayon
- Praline macaroon
- Roasted lemon tart
Storing this champagne
Le Grand Cellier d’Or 2011 in a magnum bottle should be stored horizontally in a cool (10-12°C), dark place with no temperature fluctuations. As it does not come in a box, it must be protected from light. It is advisable to avoid any vibration and maintain a constant humidity level (around 70%).
Aging potential
This magnum, aged in wood and without malolactic fermentation, has great aging potential. It can be enjoyed until 2030, evolving towards elegant tertiary aromas (honey, dried fruit, sweet spices).
When to drink
Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 is a champagne for gourmet meals, connoisseurs' dinners or large gatherings. In a magnum bottle, it will appeal to discerning enthusiasts looking for a champagne with character that is precise, intense and natural.
Anecdote about this cuvée
The Vilmart style is sometimes referred to as "the Meursault of Champagne" because it combines Burgundian winemaking with Champagne finesse. The Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 reflects this philosophy, with a structure on the palate worthy of the greatest gastronomic whites and a saline tension that prolongs its nobility.
Find out more about the Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 cuvée from Champagne Vilmart
How much does the Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 cost?
The price of the 2011 Grand Cellier d'Or champagne from Vilmart in a magnum bottle is 209,95 £GB. This price reflects aging in wood, vinification without malolactic fermentation, and a rare format for aging.
What are the reviews of the 2011 Grand Cellier d'Or champagne?
Critics praise its aromatic precision, tension, and woody elegance. It is praised for its assertive personality and texture worthy of a great white wine. Reviews of the "Grand Cellier d'Or 2011 Vilmart" cuvée
Is this champagne suitable for extended aging?
Yes, in magnum format and without malolactic fermentation, it can age until 2030 and develop elegant tertiary aromas while retaining its liveliness.
Does this champagne contain sugar?
The dosage is almost imperceptible. This is an Extra-Brut champagne, with a "sharp" balance between acidity and finesse.
What dish would you pair it with to bring out its best?
Free-range poultry in a reduced sauce, white fish in a herb crust or mature Comté cheese are ideal accompaniments.
Is this champagne certified organic or biodynamic?
Vilmart is not certified organic, but practices sustainable, manual viticulture that is very respectful of the environment and the grapes.
