Spring Cleaning Find! 2002 Vintage Champagne!

Besides a last call on our Grand Cru bargain find of the year (93 points, 36 bucks, hello?) there are bubbly gems galore here in the Store, today only. All are rare and extraordinary; most are just a few cases. Many a Grand and Premier Crus, with the best prices anywhere guaranteed, the juiciest of deals start at $47 for a great Vintage, all the way to $249 for the ultimate luxury experience that normally should go for $400! Ratings are BIG as usual, almost all in the 95-100 range, naturally. Vintages span across the well-cellared 2002 through the fresh off the boat 2015s.

Speaking of 2002…

Carol Duval-Leroy has been leading her Champagne house in Vertus, one of the top Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs, since 1991 while her family has been making Champagne since 1859. Duval-Leroy’s Tête de Cuvée ‘Femme de Champagne’ comes in a unique bottle, reminiscent of the same era. Since the inaugural 1990, a Femme de Champagne has only been bottled for five more legendary vintages, a 1995, 1996, 2000, this 2002, and a 2004. That’s how rare it is.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has endorsed that “the newest disgorgements from Duval-Leroy include several truly wonderful Champagnes. This 150+-year-old, still family-owned house in Vertus is becoming a dramatically good producer with highly delicate and finessed cuvées in a lovely stimulatingly dry and perfectly round style. The prices are still moderate, so there is no reason not to check out the new Duval-Leroy.”

Carpe diem!

100 Points – Fallstaff

“Light golden yellow, silver reflections; fine, persistent, small bubbly mousse. Initially nuances of herbs and bakery on the bouquet, fine nutty-tobacco aromas and mineral aspects dominate the fruit, with more air, multi-faceted yellow aromatics, a touch of ripe apple, dried apricots with a hint of white flowers in the background. Complex on the palate, a touch of wood, silky texture, tight body, has elegance and depth unique to Champagnes with long lees ageing (this was 18 years), salty and focused on the finish, has great length and expression. A great Champagne that you may even have to decant, conceived for true wine lovers.”