L'Étincelante is luxurious in its richness, enticing in its freshness, and captivating in its precision. It encapsulates the remarkable 2002 vintage with deft precision. It was a sunny vintage, and the wines have a weight and depth that marks them out as some of the greatest of that decade. They have aged beautifully too. The word étincelante translates as "glittering" or "sparkling", and was chosen by Benoit for what is one of his favourite wines he has ever made. It has rich notes of biscuit and lemon pulp, with a hint of thyme on the nose. Chalky and textural, ripe and full bodied with the energy of the vintage giving it outstanding length. What a pleasure to taste.
An assemblage of 57% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir and 14% Pinot Meunier, the 2002 Millésime Prestige l'Étincelante (literally: the sparkling one) opens with an exciting bouquet that displays lovely matured yet precise fruit aromas along with brioche, stony and flinty notes. On the palate, the 2002 is intense, firm and vibrantly fresh, showing a juicy, chalky texture and stimulating salinity in the long yet still young finish. This is one of the best vintage Champagnes I have tasted here so far.
Critic score 95/100
Maturity Ready 2019 - 2033
Prices shown in bond
Critic score 94/100
Maturity Ready 2020 - 2030
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