1990 Ruinart "Dom Ruinart" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Deep gold. Lovely deep, rich, rather masculine nose. Reminds me a little of Winston Churchill style even! Big and even mushrooms. A sparkling grand cru white burgundy more than a champagne! Real weight ... A champagne to drink with a cigar?! Very clean finish. Explosive and alluring. Very different style from the next great vintage, 1996!....An unusually early start to the vegetative cycle left the vines exposed to spring frosts, which in two chilly episodes hit nearly 12,000 ha. Flowering took place in cool temperatures, resulting in poor set and shatter; however, the summer was distinguished by a record 2100 hours of sunshine, unrivalled since 1959! Needless to say, the final balance was remarkable. 18.5/20 points.