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Back-Vintage Champagne Surprise (Ex-Cellars)

Posted by Bob Schagrin on December 17, 2009

1993 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Shattering Expectations
*Direct from the Cellars of Dom Ruinart*

"Firing on all cylinders. What a beautiful wine."
- Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

Earlier this year, I hosted a Dom Ruinart retrospective with Chef de Caves Frederic Panaïotis at New York's Cru Restaurant.

Today's offer represents the SURPRISE of the night - the 1993 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. 

As Ian said: "This is a wine that simply shouldn't exist." Like DRC's 72s, Jayer's 83s or Giacosa's 86s, Dom Ruinart took a vintage that offered very little... and made something absolutely exceptional from it.

As a select group of Champagne collectors and critics, including Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate and Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator, settled in to their chairs the formidable lineup was announced: Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs from 1964 up to 1998 and the rosé from 1976 to 1990.

Everyone at the table was stunned by the 1993 - shining as it was at a table with some very big stars. At one point during the dinner I leaned over and whispered to Frederic, "I love the 1993." He responded just as quietly: "It's one of my favorites."

This offer represents a small tranche of the 1993 that Dom Ruinart has released especially for Crush - every bottle has been buried deep in the estate's incredible landmarked chalk cellars for the last 15 years or so.

This is why you cellar Champagne - with its decade+ of peace the 1993 Dom Ruinart has woven itself into something ultra-fine; polished flavors of rich, honeyed fruit and brioche with an incredibly detailed medley of mint and fennel.

This is simply beautiful Champagne at the pinnacle of its expression. There is a complexity to this wine that puts it at nearly the same level as the 69. While you could certainly cellar this wine for some time, I do not believe it will *ever* drink better than it is drinking right now.

As we've stated, Dom Ruinart has a serious reputation for their Chardonnay. Their Blanc de Blancs is one of the most suave and graceful expressions of the grape. In Europe, Dom Ruinart is held in the highest esteem; it resides in force on the great wine lists of the continent, alongside elites such as Dom Pérignon, Krug, Cristal and Salon.

While Dom Ruinart has only recently been reintroduced into the U.S. market and remains something of an "insider's secret" here, the cult of Dom Ruinart is currently spreading, rapidly - and almost completely by word of mouth.

The estate's low profile (for the moment) means the Champagnes are incredibly undervalued.

Our single parcel of 1993 Dom Ruinart is in stock. Although the estate was as generous as they could be, unfortunately our tranche amounts to precious little wine. All orders will be subject to confirmation. Please reply to this email or call the store at (212) 980-9463 to order.

Robert Schagrin
Managing Partner
Crush Wine & Spirits





1993 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs


Special Bottle Price: $149.95
No compare at pricing available in the U.S.

Antonio Galloni, from the Wine Advocate's "Hedonist's Gazette" write-up of the Dom Ruinart Dinner at Cru Restaurant, NYC: "Among the wines of the 1990s, I especially liked the 1993 Dom Ruinart, which was beautiful, especially considering this was an original disgorgement. Layers of honeyed fruit, licorice and mint were woven together in a captivating fabric. We also caught this wine at near peak, as it was firing on all cylinders. What a beautiful wine."

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: "Plenty of pencil shaving aromas, with candied citrus and honey, mark this firm, tightly wound bubbly. Shows personality and depth, with a long vanilla pastry aftertaste."

1993 Dom Ruinart is in Stock!
Net / No Further Discount

In stock: Wines that we have in our warehouse or 57th Street Store. While our inventory is 'real-time' and we do our best to provide accurate information, please understand that mistakes can and do occur. The best way to confirm a wine's specific availability is to call the store +1 (212) 980-9463 and ask to speak to a sales representative. Exact quantities, when provided should be used as a general guideline and may vary +/- 1 bottle.

Out of stock: Wines that we have sold out of, but that we may able to re-acquire to fill your order. Please note that you may place an order for an out of stock wine and we will try to obtain it for you at the advertised price. While we will obtain a CC authorization, your Card will not be charged until we have confirmed a wine's availability.

Pre-Arrival: Wine we have purchased that is on its way to us. Due to a number of factors, transportation times vary. If an arrival date is not specified, please call +1(212) 980-9463 for an approximate delivery timeframe.
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