SAC: 2002 Retrospective
Tasted December 5, 2022 by MC2 Wines with 216 views
Introduction
I'll admit that I was both intrigued and a bit skeptical when I heard the theme of this tasting. To me the 2002s have always been some of the most tight and unready to drink champagnes. I believe they have amazing potential, but most of what I've experienced has been shy and quiet and not giving up much. Then again, the chance to get to do a side by side comparison across so many great producers is too good to pass up.
Big caveat - I appear to have completely misplaced my book with the notes so these are all impressions and it was a lot of champagne so the later impressions are a bit lighter than the early ones.
Flight 1 - Pre-dinner taste-off (5 notes)
White - Sparkling
2002 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Comtesse Marie de France
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
First champagne of the night and of the original five the one that I went back to at the end to see if I really did like it as much as I thought or if it was just the benefit of being the first glass of champagne in my glass in the evening. This is good. It's more of that pear/apple style where it's a touch lighter and the orchard fruits and clean in style. But really drinking quite well. Something to keep an eye out for in the future. Changed the way I see this producer.
White - Sparkling
2002 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare
France, Champagne
I have this theory that this is a wine that I'm just going to love when it has enough time. It's got that little bit of extra sweetness left over that I think ages well (reminds me of the old Cristal style). Still quite primary at this stage though.
Flight 2 - APPETIZER (3 notes)
Salade Verte with Vinaigrette Provencale
Flight 3 - PASTA (3 notes)
Wild Mushroom Risotto, grana padano
(for the lucky ones without the mushrooms and with more cheese!)
White - Sparkling
2002 Tarlant Champagne L'Etincelante
France, Champagne
Tasting more of this producer recently who has almost prematurely aged wines (which can work for me since I like older wine). This was in that same vein. Probably the most ready to drink of the group.
White - Sparkling
2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne
France, Champagne
I remember this being reasonably more evolved than I expected given our tasting last December where the '02s were very far from ready. It's good and toasty and still tight and young but more giving than I expected.
Flight 4 - ENTREE (3 notes)
Red Wine-Braised Short Rib, pommes puree
White - Sparkling
2002 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
Excited since we just got a few mags of this wine to see how it's going. Still quite young but such great stuffing to it. Could just be me but get more of the Pinot and spicy and all of that in it. Great.
Flight 5 - DESSERT (2 notes)
Apple Galette with almond frangipane
White - Sparkling
2002 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François
France, Champagne
I was excited to try this one as I don't have as much experience with it but feel like I always like it. The best I can say is I remember liking it again last night, but it got a bit lost in the rush of the last course and everyone starting to mix and mingle and connect and so less focus on the champagne.
Closing
The biggest surprise for me was the Paul Bara which is a producer that I've always thought was totally fine but this was a really great example. Of course the classics showed well - Pierre Peters, Krug, Egly. I think it was probably a mixed bag where some were opening up a lot more than I thought and some were perhaps still a big shy.
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