Domaine Ruinart Champagne NV Blanc de Blancs

9 3/5 Screwcaps

This is a giant amongst giants. This is what champagne should taste like. This beautiful wine is from the oldest champagne house in the appelation, and it is perfect for any special occasion. The bottle is the original shape that all champagne bottles once used and being the first to use it (1729), they maintain their originality to this day.*
First, a quick lesson in champagne.
1. Most champagnes don't have any other label on them than saying "Brut," and the town from which they came (Epernay or Remis).
2. Champagnes are mostly blended from 3 different grapes (but never any different grapes): Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Menuier. Not in this case.
Because the bottle also has the label "Blanc de Blancs," the wine is composed of 100% chardonnay. Because of this, you get a lot of generous apple fruit, coupled with hazelnut and vanilla. It is elegant like a 1920's leading lady, yet powerful like something out of Jurassic Park. This juxtaposed wine lists generally for under $70 and is every bit worth it. Buy it, drink it, age it, save it for the ones you love the most.


*There have been champagnes that were made before 1729 (Dom Perignon, for example), but the Royal decree which permitted the transport of bottled wines (casks are of little use for the transport of sparkling wines) was only passed in 1728.