The Last 2002 Prestige Cuvée?

With the much anticipated Krug 2002 being continuously held back and held back, its eventual release this time last year was greeted with such hype that it was easy to forget that there was still a 2002 prestige cuvée waiting to hit the market. Indeed, although we tasted it at our blind comparison of prestige cuvée’s from 2002 with Jancis Robinson in October 2016, it was still yet to be released to the market. Now, at long last, it’s here for us to enjoy.

Pure Chardonnay, Lanson used only grapes from Côte des Blancs grand crus vineyards – Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly – and the attention to detail is evident; precise and clean, this has a clear-cut finish that really leaves one wanting more.

Lanson Noble Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2002 picked up a silver medal at both Decanter’s World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge in mid-2016 prior to it’s release and with good reason. We first tasted it at our

2002 comparison at 67 Pall Mall and were struck then by it’s fruity freshness typical of the vintage and of Lanson’s trademark avoidance of malolactic fermentation. It is also astonishingly youthful, another characteristic of 2002 and we recorded the following tasting note at our event back in October:

This champagne hasn’t yet been released, though Jancis had tasted it a few years ago at a tasting when she consulted for British Airways. Was tight on the nose with time it gave more pear and apple and lemon richness and with great fresh acidity a hint of sweetness; this champagne is still showing very young; probably why it’s not yet released. 18.5/20

It ranked 9th out of fifteen 2002 prestige cuvées at our blind tasting event; a fantastic achievement considering the competition and its relative affordability. Up against the very best 2002’s in the market – some with price tags over £300 a bottle – Lanson’s Blanc de Blancs offers considerable value at just £120 a bottle.

Once again, a 2002 that is delicious now but still extremely young – this vintage really can do no wrong. A long time in the making, but well worth the wait, Lanson have produced an exquisite expression of this legendary vintage.