2002 Jacquesson Avize Champ Cain

The 2002 Brut Avize Champ Gain is breathtakingly beautiful in the way it fleshes out in seemingly all directions. Layers of fruit blossom in the glass, fleshing out the wine’s broad-shouldered frame with considerable class and pure pedigree. Mineral notes play an important role as this vivid, delineated Champagne continues to grow in the glass. Additional time in bottle has done the Champ Gain wonders. This is fabulous wine to observe in the glass, as its upward trajectory seems to have virtually no limit. What a great showing! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. ||I have to say, I was totally blown away by the wines I tasted with proprietor Jean-Herve Chiquet at Jacquesson this year. I can’t think of another estate in Champagne that has so successfully transformed itself in just a handful of years. Most Champagne fans are familiar with the house’s 700-series NV wines, which remain absolutely delicious, fairly priced and relatively easy to find. Over the last ten years so, Jacquesson has also stepped up their program of single-vineyard wines. Quantities are tiny and prices are high, but these are now some of the most compelling wines in the entire region. If you haven’t tasted the Jacquesson wines lately, you owe it to yourself to do so. eRobertParker.com.November, 2012