2004 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne

Ruinart is the longest-established champagne house of all. 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 colour of dom Ruinart 2004 is luminous yellow with pale green reflections.At first the nose reveals the sweet, gentle notes of chestnut, coconut and fresh bread. This biscuity side to the wine very quickly gives way to the aromas of flowers (iris, lily-of-the valley and the flowers of Seville orange trees) and citrus fruits (bergamot and citron). Just beneath the surface several mineral (wet rock and flint) and iodised saline notes make an appearance. Compared to the 2002 which is very full and rich, the 2004 vintage may well have better longevity as it is more restrained and with good balancing acidity.

Antonio Galloni, Nov 2014; 97/100

‘The 2004 Dom Ruinart is just as brilliant and viscerally thrilling as it has always been. If anything, the 2004 has shut down considerably over the last six months. Tightly coiled and exceptionally beautiful, the 2004 boasts fabulous intensity, class and pedigree. The flavors are vibrant, chiseled and crystalline in their precision. Time in bottle is doing wonders for the 2004. This is a tremendous showing. Disgorged June 2013.’