2002, an exceptional vintage for Champagne
Every oenologists, Cellar Master and winemakers agree on one point: 2002 is the greatest vintage since 1996 in Champagne.
The weather was fantastic and very solar on that particular year, with evenly warm seasons, without heat warm and a mild winter despite some frosts especially on December 24th, up to -15,2°c in Barséquenais (situated in the Aube Department, in Grand Est region). The summer season is sunny and warm. Dry wind and a particularly nice month of September, allow the wine to avoid every
situation of stress. Harvest starts on September 12th, on the Côte des Blancs, Sézannais and Montgueux for Chardonnay. The other regions follow each other one between September 16th and the 26th. This harvest length create a generous maturity for every Cru, with splendid grapes abundantly sweet and tasty. Following an exceptional summer, this sumptuous great vintage elaborated with rich and concentrated wines is very promising, deep, flowery.
2002 harvest is the perfect occasion for each Maison de Champagne to elaborate vintage cuvées. In the Champagne region, the use is to create a vintage with the very best grapes only from an exceptional harvest.
At Jacques Selosse house…
…2002 vintage is sourced from 2 plots of Chardonnay located on the Grand-Cru terroir of Avize. Anselme Selosse uses its 2 plots to create this vintage cuvée since 1975. A great champagne, with a tension which pairs with candied fruit aromas, pear, apricot and ripe apples, with a minerality which is very typical from Avize’s plots. Vintage 2002 from Maison Jacques Selosse is among the most beautiful champagne to be enjoyed. There’s only 3600 bottles of this vintage 2002.
According to Lanson
… Cuvée Noble Brut Millésimé 2002 embodies the great noblety of this House which is served in the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant. A solar champagne, elaborated from a blend composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot noir, exclusively sourced from Grands-Crus classified terroirs and aged for 13 years. The CIVC (Centre Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne) : Regulation Office requires a minimum aging of 3 years… while Lanson decide to forget it…. And to get it even better! The nose and the palate reveal white flower scent and citrus flavors such as the famous lemon of Menton. This is clearly an outstanding champagne awared with the gold medal by the International Wine Challenge (IWC).
According to Ruinart
… Vintage 2002 makes not exception with 2 extraordinary precise cuvées. Blanc de Blanc Dom Ruinart millésimé 2002, or Dom Ruinart Rosé Millésime 2002 are surprisingly intense while developing an aromatic complexity. This cuvée is elaborated from a blend composed of 80% Grand Crus Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, and 20% Pinot Noir, sourced from Sillery and Verzenay Crus. Exotic fruits notes such as guava, blood orange, and lime mix together with violet and rose aromas. The richness of vintage 2002 is the signature of an ample tasting of an exceptional volume. Maison Ruinart recommends to mary this cuvée with haute cuisine dishes
such as a « laquered pigeon, a duck with mushrooms or a veal chop cooked at low temperature with an al radicchio risotto ». Noble art from plate to champagne flute.
According to Piper-Heidsieck
In forty years of history, only 8 Cuvées de Prestige were produced : Rare. Cuvée Rare 2002 in the ninth and the last of the century. This cuvée is elaborated from a blend composed of 70% Chardonnay sourced from the Montagne de Reims and 30% of 7 years Pinot Noirs aged in cellars. This Pipier-Heidsieck cuvée represents the quintessence of their style, combing amplitude, freshness, acidity, with flavors of stone fruit, brioche with some spicy notes and a great length. A succes !
According to Perrier-Jouet
Cuvée Belle Epoque 2002 seduces as much by its complex and refined flavor as by the beauty of its bottle. It is one of the rarest Champagnes and therefore one of the most expensive in the world.