Champagne is a sparkling wine made from grapes coming from the Champagne region in north-central France. Producers must follow rules requiring the secondary fermentation of the wine in bottle to create the bubbly carbonation. Champagne is a blending of base wines which, ideally, create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. These “base” wines come from an assortment of wines—the Chardonnay white grape and Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for red—from various villages and vineyards.
Two areas in the Champagne region are thought to be best for their superior grapes: the Montagne de Reims, which is perfectly located for producing the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier red grapes, and the Côte des Blancs, whose soils of limestone and chalk are excellent for Chardonnay. The Vallee de la Marne, which lies in a thin band along most of the region and is home to both red and white grapes, is the biggest area other than the Aube district, which lies further to the south.
Each decade, there are only four out of five harvests in the tough climate northeast of Paris that generate the needed ingredients to produce complete and balanced Champagne, vintage-designated, wines. They are, by definition, wines made entirely during the year indicated on the label. Because of this, most Champagnes also blend juice from two and more vintages.
This act of blending vintages is the means Champagnes producers employ to maintain their “house style” and provide their customers with a dependable, and consistent, product. With non-vintage wine accounting for about four out of five bottles of all Champagne produced, it makes sense that the status of most major houses depends on the quality and uniformity of their non-vintage offerings. Lucky for the Champagne-enthusiast, non-vintage bottles are often just as good as their vintage counterparts—and considerably less expensive.
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Following on from the great 2002 vintage of this wine, the 2004 is equally memorable. It is a magnificent wine, structured and beautifully balanced between the ripe white fruits and the tight texture that will allow it to...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: A blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, this is opulent and full bodied, with toast and wood flavors. Rich and ripe, this beautiful wine is generous and still young, with just a touch of bitterness at the end.
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: The rich Pol Roger style is contrasted here with the natural crisp minerality of a Blanc de Blancs. That gives a great tension, with the tight texture just waiting to round out as the wine ages further. Because it is...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: One of the best vintages since the great 2002, this is a sophisticated, fruit- and yeast-driven wine. It has a delicate touch, with its white fruit flavors well integrated into the toasty and tangy texture. It will age...
Wine & Spirits, 97 points: The energy in this wine recalls the 2002 Cristal (I wrote "energy" three times in my notes.) In 2004 it's explosive. The wine is saturated with flavor from floral notes of rose to pale limestone and equally pale fruit...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 94 points: The 2004 Blanc de Blancs has developed notable aromatic complexity and nuance over the last few years. Smoke, slate, candied lemon and crushed rocks are some of the signatures. Striking in its precision and nuance, the...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 96 points: The 2004 Dom Pérignon Rosé has put on remarkable weight over the last year or so. A rich, voluptuous wine, the 2004 Rosé hits the palate with stunning depth and resonance. The flavors are bold, rich and beautifully...
Wine & Spirits, 97 points: The energy in this wine recalls the 2002 Cristal (I wrote “energy” three times in my notes.) In 2004, it’s explosive. The wine is saturated with flavor, from floral notes of rose to pale limestone and equally pale fruit...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: It is hard to fathom the immense minerality on the nose here. Smells chalky with wet stones, petrichor, fresh white flowers and lemon - superior aromatic purity. The palate's struck with such clarity and precision; it...
Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 92 points: Light bright gold. Mineral-accented aromas of orange white flowers ginger and white pepper with a leesy overtone. Juicy penetrating orchard fruit and orange zest flavors gain flesh and and spiciness with air. Packs a...
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