2002 Champagne, Dom Ruinart
About Producer
The oldest champagne house, Maison Ruinart was founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart, a nephew of Dom Thierry Ruinart (1657-1709), Benedictine monk, keen oenologist and contemporary of Dom Pérignon at the Abbey of Hautvillers. Since 2007, Maison Ruinart has been on top of its game under the aegis of the talented chef de cave Frédéric Panaïotis with a range of champagne known for their spectacular precision, finesse and aromatic complexity.
Varietals
Chardonnay. From grands crus vineyards, 72% Côte des Blancs (predominantly Chouilly and Avize), 28% from the northern slopes of Montagne de Reims (predominantly Sillery and Puisieulx).
About Appellation
One of the first mentions of vines in the region was made by Saint Remigius, the Bishop of Reims who baptised the King of the Franks Clovis I in 496, who listed in his testament a vineyard in the suburb of Reims. Much has been written about the key roles of Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), a Benedictine monk at Hautvilliers Abbey, and Frère Jean Oudart (1654-1742), from Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts Abbey in Pierry, in the development of Champagne as we know today. In 1690, 'Champagne Wines' were first mentioned to designate sparkling wines of the region, and it was also the first time in France that a wine was identified as produce from a specific region. Today, the vineyards covers 34,300ha in four sub-regions, Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. Within the three first sub-regions, there are 17 Grand Cru communes. While the main grape varieties are pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, four other varietals are also used in some blends, arbane, petit meslier, pinot blanc and pinot gris (known locally as fromenteau).
Tasting Notes
Enticing nose of yellow orchard fruits, fresh lime, acacia honey, nougatine, ginger and white flowers, vibrant mouthfeel with satiny texture, beautiful tension and excellent depth, oodles of lush flavours of white peach, apple, quince, poached pear, citrus peel, marzipan and grilled almond underpinned by a chalky mineral backbone, racy acidity and refined bubbles leading onto an amazingly long finish. This is a sumptuous champagne with remarkable focus, superb intensity and aromatic purity. Defying the passage of time, it’s beguilingly seductive and incredibly fresh at 20 years old. Having repeatedly tasted it over the years, I am often at a loss for words to describe the magnificence of this wine and the immense pleasure I have tasting it. (02/2022)