90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine cellar: "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." (Nov/Dec 06) K&L's notes: Ruinart is one of Champagne's oldest houses, founded by Nicholas Ruinart in 1729, himself a descendent of Dom Thierry Ruinart, the other "Dom" responsible for so much of the early viticulture progress of the appellation. Only Gosset is older, but apparently it was Ruinart that was first to base his business on sparkling, rather than still Champagne. This blanc de blancs is made exclusively from Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay, much of which is estate from the biggest land holder in all of Champagne- Ruinart's parent company LVMH. The feature that sets this stainless steel fermented wine apart from other Blanc de Blancs is the combination of grapes from both the cotes de blancs and the montagne de Reims, giving it a more rounded style. I find some chalky minerality in this Champagne, but also lychee fruit and texture. It seems sweeter than claimed dosage of 8 grams per liter. -Gary Westby K&L

Additional Information:

Varietal: White Wines

Country: France
When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them.

Sub-Region: Champagne
The French region of Champagne (comprised of the towns of Rheims, Epernay, and Ay) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and winemaking traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range from the basic brut (often blends of several vintages), single vintage champagnes, and rose.

Price: $59.99

Purchase: FinestWine.com

Source: http://www.klwines.com