Opera 02
Pol Roger
Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2002
Was showing off compared to the 02 Krug. Not in the same league tonight. — 4 months ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2008
Along with 02, 04 and the majestic 2010, 08 is one of my absolute favorite vintages from Raveneau and it’s absolutely rocking tonight showing superb weight, density and waxy yellow fruit that’s layered with stony minerality and piercing lemony acids. 08 Raveneau is all about that Chablisian balance: proper levels of richness and acid, ripeness and minerality. Code yellow ftw 🙌🏻 — 9 months ago
Olga Raffault
Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014
Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 9 days ago
Opera 02
Lambrusco di Modena
Perfect for summer chilled and Ruby red — 7 months ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002
Finished our tondonia mini-vertical with this gorgeous fully mature ‘02 — a year ago
Piper-Heidsieck
Cuvée Rare Brut Champagne Blend 2002
Happy Birthday Christina. 🎂 🎉 🥳
I have been holding this bottle for her birthday for about 5 years since we had this vintage last. Worth the wait. So much more complex now.
The fruits are more subtle and the toasted mixed nut buffet has taken hold. Butterscotch hard candy. Round, creamy, subdued lemon & pineapple juice, hints of lime on the long set, Bosc pear, white peach, whipped cream, brioche, some bread dough, some of the most beautiful yeastiness, what amazing, soft chalkiness, sea spray, undertones of white spice, crushed/powdery limestone, fresh, blooming Spring flowers & yellow lilies, excellent, perfect, crisp acidity, layers and layers on the well; knitted, balanced, structured, brilliantly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes.
I’ve had some nice champagne lately and this beats everything except 02 & 96 Krug. — 2 months ago
Cà de’ Rocchi (Tinazzi)
Vinum Italicum N 3 Opera Corvina Blend
Drank at Kerdels. From Costco and yummy — 5 months ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
This is their 2002 Vintage Brut but the top of the bottle reads 250 ANS? Maybe, an anniversary bottling. I do seek out Veuve Clicquot as much of what I’ve tried from them hasn’t to my liking. There are simply producers I enjoy more at or under their price points. But, this was quite good & the best offering I've had from them. Enjoyed it. Better than all the vintages of Grande Dame I've had. Having said that, it is not on the same par as the 02 Rare and 02 Billecart.
It was showing the right spot to starting drinking it. More reductive than oxidative. Lively, fresh acidity. Citrus blend, some of both apples, a little white stone fruit, nice brioche, soft playful yeastiness, excellent fine chalkiness, alluvial limestone, spring flowers and well done, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant and not overly polished finish that lasted 90 seconds.
Pour at the Saturday Pebble Beach Food & Wine walk around “From the Cellar” dinner — 17 days ago