Much has been said about Champagne’s blockbuster 2002 vintage (i.e. among the very best in history), but it resonated deeper for Benoît—this was the first year he was in full command in the cellar, and what a propitious one it was. He called it his “fireworks” vintage where every cluster seemed to sparkle and turn to liquid gold. 

For his 2002 “L’Étincelante,” the ripe grapes—spread across six Certified Organic parcels—were hand harvested over the course of 10 days in late September. The yields from each site were vinified (sans malo) separately and naturally in neutral Burgundy barrels. After six months of maturation, the wines were blended together and transferred into bottle to commence a 15-year journey of quiet, cool, undisturbed aging. The resulting mature Champagne was disgorged without dosage in September of 2018. No fining or filtering occurred through the entire process. This limited parcel just arrived stateside. 

This Pinot Noir-dominant Champagne from 2002 delivers everything you’d expect from one of the all-time great vintages, especially when (1) served in Burgundy stems around 50-55 degrees and (2) consumed slowly over an entire evening. The wine reveals a deep straw-yellow with slight copper tints and returns highly focused aromas of bruised Rainier cherry, apple brioche, cider, muddled plum, crushed stone, toasted nuts, damp acacia flower, button mushroom, and sous bois. It’s vinous and broad with tremendous energy on the mid-palate that rises to a savory crescendo. One of the finest ’02s on the marketplace, this can be enjoyed throughout the decade without sacrificing any vibrancy and nuance. Cheers.