Emotion has hit its stride in 2016 as one of independent Champagne's great rosés, buzzing with mature, ripe Chardonnay energy but endlessly alluring in aromatic range. This is evident in its fresh cherry and blood orange notes and maturing touches of hibiscus, dried orange, spiced apple and even liquorice. It's at a rare meeting place of fruit, savour and energy, all three on a high. 60% Chardonnay from Rilly-la-Montagne and 40% Pinot Noir, including 15% as red wine, from Villers-Allerand.

A deeper pink but clear, the 2016 Champagne Emotion Brut Rosé is a Chardonnay-dominated blend with 40% Pinot Noir, aged for 10 months in small 228-liter barrels. The palate is focused and compact, with a chiseled, bright structure and notes of redcurrants and fresh white peaches. The Chardonnay shines on the palate, offering a focused and linear experience, while also being medium to full-bodied with good intensity. I really like this vintage; aromatically, it offers notes of kirsch and violets, and it shines with a just-delicious nose where the Pinot is prominent. On the palate, the Chardonnay adds a refined, chalky texture. It has the potential to age further, but wow, it’s also fantastic now, and honestly, was one of the most interesting and delicious wines I had at this tasting. Drink 2025-2045. Disgorged in October 2022. On the nose, it’s reminiscent of fresh plum liqueur – decadent, pretty, and delightful – and it only becomes more intense as it opens. Upon a second tasting, the nose reveals more red wine and spice notes but remains very attractive and balanced, with red berries, currants, and cherries. The palate is focused, and I stand by my previous statement that the Chardonnay backbone leads the way; it's superb.

The 2016 Brut Rosé Emotion is stellar, even better than it was last year. There's gorgeous textural breadth and intensity to complement the finesse that is such a signature here. Cranberry, blood orange peel and brisk saline notes build nicely over time. This is a wine of tremendous character. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 2022. - Antonio Galloni

A bright and graceful rosé Champagne, with a pleasing buoyancy to the fine china–like acidity, enmeshed with a pure beam of crushed raspberry and strawberry fruit, oyster shell, blood orange sorbet and biscuit flavors. Offers a long, mouthwatering finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged October 2022. Drink now through 2040. - AN

Disgorged in October 2022 with a dosage of eight grams per liter, Vilmart’s 2016 Emotion—an almost equal blend of Pinot Noir (including some 15% red wine) from Villers-Allerand and Chardonnay from Rilly-la-Montagne—continues to show very well. It soars from the glass with an expressive bouquet of red cherry, mirabelle plum and red apple mingled with blood orange, spice and blanched almonds. Full-bodied, ample and textural, it is built around a rich core of fruit and tangy acidity, concluding with a long, perfumed, citrus-tinged finish. This is a decidedly gastronomic Champagne that will shine at the table. -Kristaps Karklins