2002 Champagnes

[Mike Hawkins]

I know there are a number of members of the board who love champagne (and a misguided few that don't!). Nevertheless, if you plan to buy a specific vintage, 2002 is definitely up there with 1996. My advice - go long !!! I believe 2008 is the next great vintage, but the better wines wont be out for some years yet. Some bottles in the past few weeks (all 2002):-

Vilmart Couer de Cuvee - probably my favourite from the vintage to date. Unfortunately, I've been opening them way too quickly - they will be even better in 2022. Power, complexity and grace in equal measures. Mouthfilling with massive length. Kinda like a table wine in some ways. This is absolutely awesome.

Dom Perignon - 4 bottles to date have been magnificent, 2 have been so-so. Lacks the overt power of the Vilmart, but matches it for length, elegance and complexity. Another that needs time.

Pierre Gimmonet Collection - a step up from the Special Club. Impressive minerality.

Camille Saves - fast becoming my go-to drink. Some nuttiness with creamy mouthfeel. Really enjoyable and will improve

Henri Goutorbe Special Club - just a level down from the aforementioned, but still an excellent wine.

Roederer Cristal - a decent enough wine, but in the context of the vintage, not at the level of its peers IMO.

Pierre Peters Les Chetillons - a cracker in the making. Painfully young and acidic, but it has the hall marks of future greatness.


I'm looking forward to trying the Bollinger GA in the next few weeks. Unfortunately the release of Taittinger CdC, Clos des Goisses and Krug appear to be some way down the track.

Cheers


Mike

[dlo]

Thanks Mike, what's the damage your side of the pond on the Vilmart?

[Craig(NZ)]

Had a 2002 Dom earlier in the year at a wedding (yeah not a bad wedding wine huh??). Close on undrinkable with is battery acid concentration. I just don't get it, was very tough work to drink

yeah yeah way too young bla bla but still just doesn't ring my bells

[orpheus]

A surprisingly good champagne is the 2002 Veuve.

I would imagine that the 2002 Moet is also good.

[Mike Hawkins]

DLo - I bought them at cellar door for the princely sum of EUR50. I want to get another case or two but I just got their mailer and it appears the 2003 Couer de Cuvee has just been released. At retail, GBP 65 or USD110 is the best on offer.

Mike

[Mike Hawkins]

A surprisingly good champagne is the 2002 Veuve.

I would imagine that the 2002 Moet is also good.

I've tried both a few times, and they are infinitely better than their NVs and a step up from other recent vintages. Given WET and GST, AUD90 is not bad for either.

Mike

[dlo]

DLo - I bought them at cellar door for the princely sum of EUR50. I want to get another case or two but I just got their mailer and it appears the 2003 Couer de Cuvee has just been released. At retail, GBP 65 or USD110 is the best on offer.

Mike

Lucky you! Well done.

[simon1980]

I'd second the Veuve. I got stuck into the '96, which may not be the poshest Champagne around, but continues to drink very well (sadly only 2 left). The Bollinger 2002 is the best I have tried so far. It has the power; needs 5 years (maybe more).

I remember reading an atricle in Decanter, from a very early tasting of 2002's. The overall conclusion was: get stuck in. The wine they seemed to be most excited about was the Dom Ruinart. When this is (eventually) released, it may be worth giving a try.

Simon

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Simon - I'll look out for the DR. I'm guessing its still a way off given the late 90s are still in the shops.

[rwatkins]

The 2002 Ployez Jacqumart is fantastic.I had it week. $80 Canadian. For the person who had the Cristal and was underwhelmed, Wine & Spirits gave it 100 points!! It must be good!! Rick

[orpheus]

The 2002 Ployez Jacqumart is fantastic.I had it week. $80 Canadian. For the person who had the Cristal and was underwhelmed, Wine & Spirits gave it 100 points!! It must be good!! Rick

Cristal is always great - if you like a concentrated, alcoholic, carbonated version of a cross between the syrup that canned apricots and the syrup that canned peaches come in.

Personally, I don't.

[Mike Hawkins]

The 2002 Cristal is way way behind the 1990 and 1996 versions. Not surprisingly, it apparently had less time on lees due to the increased demand spawned by the rap crowd. I think this accounts for my perceived quality differential.

[orpheus]

The 2002 Cristal is way way behind the 1990 and 1996 versions. Not surprisingly, it apparently had less time on lees due to the increased demand spawned by the rap crowd. I think this accounts for my perceived quality differential.

The 02 is the first I have ever tried, I should confess.

Perhaps other vintages have more complexity and interest.

I should also admit a palate bias. Even very good dessert wines don't do much for me, because my palate is distracted by the sweetness.