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Wine Description
The Story
Dating from the Lutetian era 45 million years ago, this terroir is the only remaining place where the Chardonnay can be grown ungrafted on its own roots. La Vigne d'Antan (The Vines of Yesteryear) reveals the true nature of the chardonnay grape, with aromas unknown elsewhere since the 19th century. This exclusive Champagne invites you to a timeless tasting of a wine of rare purity.
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay – Ungrafted (as they were in pre-phylloxera days)
Terroir: "Les Sables" in Oeuilly (Marne valley).
Wine Information
Harvest: 24th September 2002
Vinification: Vinification in 4-wine oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation. Barrel fermentation with the lees regularly stirred back into the wine. Remains in barrels until May.
Bottling: 24th July 2003
Disgorging: Manual, from 2017 (see rear label for exact date).
Dosage: 0 g/L
Tasting notes:
To the eye, golden with greenish hints, lively crystalline mousse
Nose: Intense, with well integrated scents of white blossoms (acacia and linden) and “Reine de reinette” apples. The real scent of the Chardonnay.
Mouth: Open and very pure. The palate shows itself mineral and silky, with suggestions of white fruit and lacy delicate suggestions of hazelnuts and almonds. An exceptional cuvee which is as elegant as it is aromatic. Its persistent freshness is unique.
Food & wine: Authentic and singular, this champagne of character is best appreciated when first tasted on its own. A great aromatic wine, which will accompany elegantly cooked shellfish to perfection.
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.
