1996 Vilmart et Cie Vintage Coeur de Cuvée 1er Cru

Green-gold color. Slightly warm aromas of rose petal, mace, sandalwood and mint. Dense and loaded with extract; notes of ginger and earth. A round Champagne with substantial palate presence. Initially came across as slightly heavy, with an impression of rather full dosage, but showed lively acids, firmer shape and brighter flavors of orange juice and tangerine with aeration. Finishes quite long, with hints of licorice and oak spice. Will almost certainly merit an even higher score with another couple years in the bottle.