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Wine Advocate-Parker :
Close to 30% of the Chardonnay that as always (despite the absence of "blanc de blancs" from its label) dominates Ruinart's prestige cuvee comes - specifically in the case of their 2002 Brut Dom Ruinart - from the northern Montagne de Reims, though the rest is from the Cote des Blancs (predominantly Avize and Chouilly). Hints of lees autolysis and heliotrope perfume cap a nose in which very ripe sickle pear predominates. Happily, an efficacious squirt of fresh lime lends refreshing and vivacious acidity to the pear on a lush and gently effervescent palate. Pungently struck-flint and iodine-like notes as well as hints of lightly toasted almond and hazelnut add allure to a generously fruity finish. This might well reward a couple of years' bottle age, though its highly appealing present personality is very much tied up with freshness.
Wine Description
The Story
Dom Ruinart cuvées: The origin of their grapes, exclusively Grand Crus, gives these cuvées, a high maturing potential provided that they are aged in optimum conditions of temperature, humidity and darkness, 10, 20 years or more depending on the vintage.
The wine will then take on more toasted, grilled and intense notes and its aromatic profile will develop as the years pass. This is a question of preference. Without exception, a Dom Ruinart cuvée is excellent from the day it is purchased.
The chardonnay is the very soul of Ruinart. The grape, mainly harvested from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims terroirs, is at the heart of all our cuvées.
The ephemeral, delicate structure of this vintage combined with outstanding freshness, typical of the House, offers the potential to complement very sophisticated dishes such as sea bream ceviche Peruvian style, or a lobster carpaccio with lemon caviar and coriander oil.
Wine Information
A distinguished Blanc de Blancs from an exceptional vintage
As a prodigious vintage, 2002 joins the lineage as one of the greatest years, which highlights the extraordinary purity of the Chardonnay grape that year. As an exceptional vintage in Champagne, the legendary Dom Ruinart 2002was masterfully executed in a style that gives the House all of its nobility and prestige.
As a prestigious vintage, Champagne Dom Ruinart 2002 pays homage to the nobility of Chardonnay, the emblematic grape variety that makes up the House’s DNA. The blend comes from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs like the very large Chouilly and Avize (72%) and the Montagne de Reims (28%). The blend illustrates the typical terroir of these areas.
The Dom Ruinart 2002 is adorned with a light yellow colour that shimmers green reflections. The colour highlights the finesse of the effervescence cords of bubbles. Brimming with freshness, the aromatic bouquet reveals delicate floral and fruity aromas of citrus, pear and bergamot. With aeration, the other facets of this champagne’s personality reveals itself within a frame of delicate sweetness. Brioche and coconut notes highlight the minerality of this complex bouquet.
On the palate, the Dom Ruinart 2002 shines with class and distinction. Tangy citrus flavours and delicate exotic fruit notes come together in perfect harmony. The palate further reveals minerality and gunflint, which is typical of the greatest limestone soils. The refined texture dances on the palate with vivacity and energy without losing any of its texture that stretches to a long, sparkling finish.
A distinguished Dom Ruinart with prodigious purity and finesse.
Dom Ruinart 2002
A tribute to the Ruinart Taste
VINTAGE - BLEND - VINIFICATION
The 2002 vintage was characterised by mild, dry weather. Though there was some rain at the end of August, the sunny weather which arrived in September made it possible for the grapes to ripen in excellent condition with very good acidity levels. The harvest, which commenced the second half of September, yielded the best balance since the superb 1996 vintage.
Blend: 100% Chardonnay, only sourced from the Grands Crus vineyards 72% Côte des Blancs (predominantly Chouilly and Avize) 28% from the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims (predominantly Sillery and Puisieulx).
Vinification:
• Characteristics for the year in Champagne:
- Alcohol: 10.5° GL (10.7° for Chardonnays)
- Total acidity : 7.2 g H2SO4/l
• Hand picked
• Fermentation in temperature-regulated stainless steel fermenters (18 - 20°C)
• Full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 6,5 g/l
TASTING NOTES
Dom Ruinart 2002 reveals a vibrant, clear yellow colour enhanced with highlights of green almond.
The mousse is fine and elegant.
The youth of the wine is evident on the nose with aromas of white flowers (linden blossom), fresh yellow plums, nashi pears and bergamot citrus character. Allowing it to breathe reveals a rich base, with notes of biscuits and coconut followed by hazelnuts. The intensity is highlighted by a mineral, minty freshness.
On the palate the freshness of citrus and tropical fruit culminates with superb mineral quality and a touch of gunflint. The result is a focussed purity and exceptional length supported by subtle effervescence and beautifully integrated vibrant acidity.
FROM FLUTE TO PLATE
The spectacular brightness of Dom Ruinart 2002 makes it the quintessential Champagne for
aperitifs. Softened by a few extra months of aging, it will also pair perfectly with food which
compliments its mineral qualities and fruity character: fine slices of scallops marinated in seaweed
and tomato water or a marinade of scampi and a light kaffir lime peel cream.
Dom Ruinart 2002 is born from a great vintage and cellaring it for several years will be advantageous
when pairing it with dishes with very intense 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.
