Dom Pérignon Vintage

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

51% Pinot Noir; 49% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Eight years

Price:

$$$$ (V)

Cellar:

Ten+ years

Category:

Collectible

What

The single most famous prestige cuvée, dating to the 1921 vintage and a truly separate wine from Moët & Chandon since 1943, now a separate maison led by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon since 2018.

Where

Épernay; vineyard sources for Chardonnay in Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Pinot Noir in Aÿ, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Mailly-Champagne and Verzenay, plus Hautvillers and Vertus; almost exclusively estate-grown fruit is used.

Why

Apart from being a covetable luxury good, Dom is the quintessential vintage champagne. 2015 is a vintage already being hailed as “legendary,” though the harvest was unusually (record-breaking) hot from June through to August. However, the tiny crop of both Pinot and Chardonnay was excellent. This represents a Pinot-dominant Dom, and that structure comes through, wrapped in aromas that are dark, sensuous and virile.

What Else

Keep an eye out for 2006 P2, a second chance for a year that has been somewhat unevenly received.

Tasting Notes

As it warms, the struck match and iodine smokiness become clearer, like cedary pot pourri against the fresh lime leaf and bergamot fruit beneath. The higher level of Pinot is immediately apparent on the entry, which has an unusual burliness for Dom, all landing on the palate at once with big shoulders and structure. The fruit of the nose becomes darker here, more yellow plum jelly with leather, dried underbrush and even hints of meatiness and latex as it comes to a close. Very sensuous and open, with a tactile grip to finish.

Try It With

Roasted yellow chicken with the perfect crackling skin

When To Drink

Main course

Perfect For

Your godparent

TL/DR

Cedar, sensuous and muscular

Supplier

MHD