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Wine Description
The Story
Blending: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
Vineyards: Côte des Blancs (Grand Cru) and Vallée de la Marne
Vinification: In oak for 18 months on lees. No malolactic fermentation.
Wine Information
Deriving from the Cœurs de Cuvée from the 2002 harvest of the terroirs of the Côte des Blancs (Grand Cru) and the Vallée de la Marne, this cuvée is vinified and matured in oak barrels for 18 months on the lee, without malolactic fermentation or filtration, after the fashion of our ancestors. In the Champagne tradition of centuries past, a cork stopper with staple is put in place upon bottling, and will be kept throughout the entire ageing on racks, enabling micro-oxygenation of the wine, to help guarantee long conservation. This Cuvée d’exception can be consumed right now, but can also be aged for many more years in the calm and darkness of a temperate cellar. It will satisfy the greatest champagne aficionados with its mix of finesse and powerful flavours.
Vintage 2002
A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.
