98 Points Vinous
Dinner starts with a fresh, briny oyster and a glass of 2010 Dom Ruinart. It’s a beautiful pairing. I have always loved the 2010 for the way it straddles the worlds of Champagne and still wine. It is absolutely glorious on this night. In fact, I could have had it for the entire meal. A deep, luscious morel broth and Brittany scallops are other highlights among the amuse-bouches.
97 Points Decanter
White pepper and roasted espresso top notes ride a beautifully serene and silky mousse. Subtle in build, but full of details of green mango, apricot and brioche. Strikingly refined, exhilarating Champagne that shows no sign of slowing down.
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
This is the first vintage of this cuvée that the house has opted to age under cork instead of crown capsule for the aging on the lees, sur latte. It pours a vibrant straw/green hue, and comes from five villages: Sillery, Avize, Cramant, Chouily, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The 2010 Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut was raised, as it always is, without the use of oak, and saw 3 grams per liter of dosage. Highly expressive on opening, it’s layered with aromas of fresh baked croissant, key lime, melon, and honeysuckle. Rounded and long on the palate, it’s elegant and refined within its medium frame and takes on a remarkable silky chalk texture. Floral all the way through the finish, with long-lasting notes of lemon curd, it retains a springy freshness that is true to the house style but is quite elevated and impeccably well-balanced with layered depth. This would be a great addition to the cellar. Drink 2025-2045. Disgorged in June of 2022.
95 Points Wine Spectator
A mineral-driven Champagne, creamy and compact, this deftly meshes a layer of smoke, chalk and saline with detailed flavors of glazed apple and apricot, roasted hazelnut and ginger-infused pastry cream carried on a raw silky mousse. The fine texture softens the firm spine of chiseled acidity that structures the wine, and hints of white blossoms, Meyer lemon and oyster shell play on the finish.
94 Points James Suckling
Almost like a white, with a smoky and flinty nose. Dried lemons, cedar, smoked almonds, spiced apples, hazelnuts, salted butter and toast. Tangy and sharp, yet creamy and buttery, too, with fine bubbles. Hazelnuts at the end.
Winemaker Note
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 is made exclusively from Grand Cru chardonnays, 90% of which are grown on the Côte des Blancs (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Chouilly and Cramant) and 10% on the Montagne de Reims (Sillery). This iconic grape variety reflects the rich diversity of terroirs in the Champagne region and is present in all Maison Ruinart’s cuvées. At first glance, the champagne looks golden yellow, with light greenish hues and a fine, persistent sparkle. The first nose reveals a powdery, floral and mineral note evoking the chypre universe of perfumery. The second nose brings together toasted and spicy notes such as nutmeg mace, roasted hazelnut and almond, and a hint of coffee. Fig leaf aromas mingle with notes of black tea and fresh spices in the mouth. A lingering fresh finish is elevated by an elegant bitterness.
