97 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"Now with another year of bottle age, the 2002 Brut Dom Ruinart is even better than it was last year. A huge bouquet of smoke, roasted almonds, nutmeg and graphite melds into layers of huge, exotic, super-ripe fruit. The 2002 has more than enough pure density and richness to fill out its broad shoulders nicely. It remains a big, powerful wine endowed with tons of pure structure. I can’t wait to see how the 2002 ages. It is without question one of the truly great wines ever made at this historic maison. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032."

96 Wine Spectator

"Shows beautiful, lacy texture, weaving persistent and mouthwatering acidity with flavors of patisserie pear, dried apricot, almond paste, pickled ginger, acacia blossom and clover honey. This is underscored by a rich note of smoky minerality that rings out on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 400 cases imported. -AN"

95 Wine & Spirits

"Taking the masculine power of the 2002 vintage and running with it, this comes across as massive and powerful, all of its swagger suspended by a team of needling bubbles. Oak furthers the structural intensity, as does an almost tannic leesiness, wrapped in flavors that range from vanilla custard to fresh macadamia nut. The final impression is sumptuous, tasting enough like wild mushrooms and lobster to match a dish combining the two. For now, it’s best left to rest in the cellar." (12/13)

95 Wine Enthusiast

2013 Top 100 Cellar Selections
"A superb, mature wine that is ripe, toasty and full of yellow- and white-fruit flavors. A fine balance brings up spice, an opulent texture, a taut edge of steel and a feeling that this fine wine is ready to drink. It can age, and it will be better over the next few years as its secondary aromas stay in balance with the fruitiness. -R.V."

94 Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

"A heady bouquet displays scents of ripe orchard fruits, honeydew, candied citrus fruits and white flowers, along with powerful smoke and mineral nuances and a hint of vanilla. Lush, creamy and broad, displaying surprising vivacity to its intense pear, melon and orange flavors. The smoke and vanilla notes repeat on the finish, which shows superb power, focus and length. There's no hurry to drink this Champagne but it's awfully delicious right now."

92 John Gilman - View from the Cellar

"The 2002 Dom Riunart Blanc de Blancs is a very young and tight example of the vintage, which is not too surprising, as this has traditionally been the house style of this fine estate. The bouquet is a very primary blend of apple, orange peel, quite stony minerality, bread dough and a touch of youthful straw tones. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, young and snappy, with a very good core of fruit, fine mineral drive, refined mousse and excellent length and grip on the nascently complex and snappy finish. This still needs several years in the cellar to blossom from behind its girdle of acidity, but it will be a lovely wine in the fullness of time. 2020-2045+." (10/13)

91 David Schildknecht - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Close to 30% of the Chardonnay that as always (despite the absence of 'blanc de blancs' from its label) dominates Ruinart's prestige cuvée comes - specifically in the case of their 2002 Brut Dom Ruinart - from the northern Montagne de Reims, though the rest is from the Côte des Blancs (predominantly Avize and Chouilly). Hints of lees autolysis and heliotrope perfume cap a nose in which very ripe sickle pear predominates. Happily, an efficacious squirt of fresh lime lends refreshing and vivacious acidity to the pear on a lush and gently effervescent palate. Pungently struck-flint and iodine-like notes as well as hints of lightly toasted almond and hazelnut add allure to a generously fruity finish. This might well reward a couple of years' bottle age, though its highly appealing present personality is very much tied up with freshness." (12/13)