Wine Advisor
Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs NV
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is a great introduction to the house style. This elegant, fragrant wine offers up an array of smoke, toastiness, minerals, ripe pears and flowers. The medium-bodied NV Blanc de Blancs offers tons of clarity and precision at this level, with the lingering Ruinart sweetness on the finish. This is Lot: LADH4EN, disgorged September, 2006. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. Ruinart is Champagne’s oldest house, with a history that dates back to 1729. The wines are quite well-known around the world, but less so in the US, where the estate is making an effort to re-establish its presence. Today the wines are made under the guidance of Chef de Caves Frederic Panaiotis, who clearly has an outsize passion for these Champagnes as well as the house’s rich heritage. Although Ruinart is best known for their vintage Blanc de Blancs, the Rose is perhaps even more fascinating, particularly after a few years in bottle, which in important vintages allows for the Pinot Noir to speak with great eloquence. The Ruinart wines tend to be medium in body and are made with levels of dosage that are closer to the high end of the spectrum. Although the back labels show codes which can be tracked to disgorgement dates, it would be nice to see Ruinart provide disgorgement dates for its wines. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Based on the 2019 vintage and disgorged in 2022, Ruinart's newly released NV Blanc de Blancs bursts with characteristically reductive aromas of yellow orchard fruit, citrus oil, iodine and toasted bread. Medium-bodied, pillowy and fleshy, with lively acids and a saline finish, it is an attractive Champagne that incorporates 20% reserve wines.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The latest rendition of Ruinart's NV Blanc de Blancs unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus zest, green apple, white flowers and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and incisive, with a vibrant core of fruit and brisk acids, complemented by a mouth-filling mousse, it concludes with a saline finish.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
This is a fabulous version of Ruinart's NV Brut Blanc de Blancs. The wine seems fresher, more vibrant and less obviously sweet than in the past, all of which makes this a far more interesting wine. The trademark profile of lemon, jasmine and green apples is very much in the forefront while the wine's textural finesse and length are both first-class. This release of the NV Brut makes a great introduction to the wines of Ruinart, Champagne's oldest house. This is Lot LAGJSAF.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is a great introduction to the house style. This elegant, fragrant wine offers up an array of smoke, toastiness, minerals, ripe pears and flowers. The medium-bodied NV Blanc de Blancs offers tons of clarity and precision at this level, with the lingering Ruinart sweetness on the finish. This is Lot: LADH4EN, disgorged September 2006.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(full malo; 9 g/l dosage; LAH9T): Light yellow-gold. Smoky citrus and orchard fruits on the deeply perfumed, mineral-tinged nose. Offers broad, toasty orange and pear skin flavors with an undercurrent of dusty minerals. Picks up floral and ginger nuances with air, along with hints of iodine and tarragon. Rich yet lively blanc de blancs with powerful back-end lift and finishing grip.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(LAHMT): Pale yellow. Complex, high-pitched aromas of orange zest, lemon pith, iodine, smoky minerals, anise and jasmine. Sappy and tactile on the palate, offering impressive volume to its ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors accented by smoke and minerals. Finishes tangy and long, with lingering smokiness and an echo of anise.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(LAGJWA8): Light, bright yellow. Aromas and flavors of lemon curd, yellow apple and honey, with a floral topnote. Plump and expansive, with a powerful finish marked by smoky mineral and brioche notes. This bottling seems to have become richer in recent years but it still shows the energy that I associate with Ruinart.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Light yellow. Ripe pear and nectarine on the nose, with a lemony nuance adding lift. Silky and broad, with good heft to its ripe orchard fruit flavors. Shows good power on the finish, along with a touch of warmth. This year's release is richer than I expect for this bottling.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Bright straw with a very fine bead. Pungent, yeasty aromas of intense citrus zest and minerals. Silky, pure and focused, offering vibrant lime and tangerine flavors. Finishes with racy notes of wet stone and lime zest, and excellent length. An outstanding non-vintage bottling with striking vivacity and focus.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Light gold, with a strong, lively mousse. Bright, clear, fresh aromas of yellow apple, orange and honeysuckle. A suave, laid-back style of blanc de blancs, silky in texture and showing crisp pear, apple and lemon cream flavors and a suggestion of fresh mint. Slightly taut on the back, the crisp apple note repeating.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The first scents of Ruinart’s NV Blanc de Blancs are floral in character, accompanied by aromas of lemon oil, spices and citrus blossoms. It’s medium-bodied and perfectly balanced on the palate, with a round, seamless texture that segues into a mouthwatering, ethereal finish. It should age well for five to eight years.
About the Producer
Among the major firms, Ruinart is probably the most inconspicuous in appearance, as it is essentially known among connoisseurs for the popularity of its trademark. Its sales place is also a carefully selected first-class hotel or liquor food store. The firm's rebuilt premises in 18th century style exude a sense of tradition. Its Gallo-Roman chalk cellars are the most refined in Reims, listed as a natural monument, and every two years in the cellars, a striking competition is held in the cellars, an internationally influential competition, The aim is to discover the best wine managers in Europe. Now, the astute Jean-Francois Barot is Ruinart's cellar supervisor. He has achieved deep knowledge in champagne making, thanks to his understanding of complex bartending concepts. Ruinart champagne is extremely beautiful and elegant, and it is round and overflowing. Special mention is made of the "R" de Ruinart Champagne without a vintage. It is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aged for 4 years in the bottle, with fine foam that is not irritating and has a beautiful fragrance. It is soft-bodied and pleasant on the palate, with a fragrant aftertaste due to the large amount of grapes in the blend from first-class vineyards. The 1988 "R" de Ruinart vintage champagne is golden-bodied, with typical ripe notes of lemon, but also complex aromas.
