Another post from our resident Champagne expert, Georgina Crawley, this time on the recent releases from Ruinart:
Ruinart, who claim to be the oldest Champagne house in existence, established circa 1729, have been producing Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc since 1959. Once in bottle Dom Ruinart is generally cellared for 9-10 years in their cool chalk cellars before release.
I last tasted a number of vintages with Frederic Panaiotis, Ruinart’s Cellar Master. The style of Ruinart always reminds me of a deliciously perfumed “˜Chassagne Montrachet’. The nose is of liquid honey, toast and butter pastry. Nothing heavy, it just oozes fruit, freshness and elegance. This is 100% Chardonnay from Grand cru sites in the Cote des Blancs and Montagne de Reims . The blend of these vineyards leads to its unique character, the nuances of the different soils show through, giving a fine complexity, natural richness, minerality and elegance. The 9 years on the lees gives depth and richness.
Ruinart really does show like a fine burgundy, with beautiful fruit, intensity and a very long lingering finish. They show well straight away, but will easily age for 20 years or more. Simply put, this is grown up Champagne of the highest order.
The two new vintages from Maison Ruinart, Dom Ruinart 2004 and exceptionally rare Dom Ruinart Rosé 2002 are now being offered on the UK market.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2004 Brut @ £465.00 IB per 6
The 2004 Dom Ruinart is seriously beautiful. A vivid, captivating Champagne, the 2004 flows across the palate with gorgeous, crystalline fruit and superb balance. Lemon, pastry, apple and white flowers are all layered into the finish. A model of total elegance, the 2004 is a wine for the patient. It won’t be ready to deliver maximum pleasure for a number of years, even though it is absolutely dazzling today. The 2004 is 69% Chardonnay from the Côtes des Blancs and 31% Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims. 96+ Antonio Gallon Vinousmedia.com May 2014.
Score 94, Richard Juhlin, Champagne Club, July 2014.
Dom Ruinart Rosé 2002 @ £815.00 IB per 6
The 2002 Dom Ruinart Rosé bursts across the palate with superb intensity and plenty of 2002 vintage opulence. Pomegranate, blood orange, red cherry, spice and white pepper are all very much alive in the glass. A rich, intense wine, the 2002 possesses terrific persistence and fabulous overall balance. The aromatics are just starting to show hints of development, but the 2002 has the pure density to drink well for many, many years. The vivid, crystalline finish is a thing of beauty. The 2002 is 80% Chardonnay (the Dom Ruinart base) with the addition of 20% still Pinot, mostly from Sillery with a dollop of Verzenay. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. 95 Antonio Gallon Vinousmedia.com May 2014.
Score 94, Richard Juhlin, Champagne Club, July 2014.
Some of the stock is already in our UK cellars with the remainder being delivered later this year. Offered subject to final confirmation, E&OE.