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Sparkling dry
2002 was an extraordinary year in Champagne, characterised by generally warm temperatures, without excessively hot or cold weather. These exceptionally favourable
For collectors and connoisseurs, the Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Brut Nature Millésime 2002 is a masterpiece of purity and aging potential. This exceptional no-dosage Champagne, from a legendary vintage, promises an unparalleled sensory experience.
This exquisite Champagne reveals a pale golden yellow color with silver reflections and a fine, persistent mousse. The nose offers nuances of herbs, baked goods, fine nutty and tobacco aromas, with minerals dominating the fruit. With air, it develops multifaceted yellow aromas, ripe apple, dried apricots, and subtle white flowers. On the palate, it is complex, with a hint of wood, a silky texture, and a firm body. It possesses elegance and depth, culminating in a salty, focused finish with great length and expression.
Product of the exceptional 2002 vintage, this Femme de Champagne expresses the great Chardonnay Grand Cru terroirs of Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant (95%), complemented by 5% Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Ambonnay.
The excellent 2002 weather allowed grapes, harvested mid-September, to reach perfect maturity with richness and acidity. Notably, 20% of wines were vinified in oak barrels for elegant structure, and 50% of the blend was aged on lees, contributing to its remarkable complexity. This Champagne was aged an impressive 18 years on the lees.
Serve at 8-10 °C with oysters, seafood, fish dishes and eggs benedict.
Light golden yellow, silver reflections, fine, persistent, small-pearl mousseux. In the bouquet initially nuances of herbs and baked goods, fine nutty-tobacco aromas, mineral aspects dominate the fruit, with more air a multifaceted yellow aroma, a hint of ripe apple, dried apricots, a hint of white flowers in the background. Complex on the palate, a hint of wood nuances, silky texture, firm body, has the elegance and depth that only a champagne that has been aged for a long time on the lees has (it was 18 years), salty and focused on the finish, has great length and expression . Serve in a burgundy glass.
Established in 1859 in the village of Vertus, in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs, the Champagne house Duval-Leroy was founded by wine merchants Jules Duval and Edouard Leroy. After World War II, their production began to grow rapidly, and the company further strengthened its position when Jean Charles Duval took over its management. He introduced modern technologies and advanced equipment, significantly contributing to the company's expansion. Following the unexpected death of J. Ch. Duval, his wife Carol Duval-Leroy, often referred to as the "iron lady," took the helm. Following the example of famous Champagne widows – Veuve Clicquot, Lily Bollinger, and Louise Pommery – she continues to successfully lead the company to this day.
In 2007, Carol Duval-Leroy became the first woman elected as the head of the Association Viticole Champenoise (AVC), demonstrating her leadership and influence in the region. Duval-Leroy owns 200 hectares of vineyards in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne regions and is the ninth-largest vineyard owner in Champagne. It is a family-owned company that has managed to remain independent even as major Champagne producers were being sold or merged with large conglomerates. The high quality of their Champagnes is consistently recognized – in 2008, Duval-Leroy was the only Champagne to be included in the list of the World's Top 100 Wines, and in recent years, almost all of their main Champagnes have been rated 90 points or higher.
Wine Style
Duval-Leroy Champagnes are characterized by elegance, subtlety, and excellent balance, reflecting the specific terroir of the different Champagne regions. Great emphasis is placed on the ‘Chardonnay’ variety, which dominates their vineyards in the Côte des Blancs.
Prestigious Vineyards
Duval-Leroy owns vineyards in three main Champagne regions, each contributing to the character of their Champagnes:
The yields from these different terroirs and meticulous work in the cellar allow Duval-Leroy to create diverse and high-quality Champagnes.
Aging and Drinking Period
Duval-Leroy Champagnes are aged in cellars for an extended period, often exceeding the appellation requirements. This imparts greater complexity, finer bubbles, and a longer finish. While some Champagnes can be enjoyed in their youth, the top-tier cuvées, especially the “Blanc de Blancs,” have excellent potential to age and evolve for many years, gaining even more elegance and nuance. Duval-Leroy Champagnes are valued for both their youthful freshness and their mature complexity.
