Today, Dom Perignon is undoubtedly the most iconic champagne, not least because of some legendary film appearances – such as in James Bond's »Goldfinger«. It is certainly also one of the best prestige cuvées. Dom Perignon is unquestionably the qualitative pinnacle of Moët & Chandon's portfolio and produces some of the greatest champagnes ever.
In poor years, lovers unfortunately have to do without champagne from the house of Dom Perignon, as only vintages whose quality convinces the experts become a Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne. There are no exceptions. Therefore, it is always vinified as a vintage, exclusively in outstandingly good years. The selection in the vineyard is meticulous; only the very best grapes go into this magnificent product. The grape varieties used in all champagnes at Dom Perignon are limited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The aging potential of Dom Perignon is also impressive: the base wine is made reductively, matures long on the lees, and is disgorged after at least 8 years before leaving the spectacular cellar. A statement against the fast-paced times where quick consumption is in fashion. The Rosé even only after about twelve years.
Each vintage of Dom Perignon does not develop linearly but goes through different stages of maturity – the so-called Plénitudes. The first Plénitude is reached after about eight years, which is when the regular Dom Perignon is disgorged. But if a wine stays on the lees even longer, it can reach even higher dimensions and achieve the next level, the coveted second Plénitude »P2«. These bottlings are even deeper and more complex, but unfortunately also more limited and rarer than the »normal« Dom Perignon.
In almost every blind tasting, Dom Perignon, if it is not identified by taste, is chosen as the flagship of Champagne, as the elevated champagne it is meant to be. Not a simple, quick sip for toasting, but also not a trendy oxidized grower champagne, rather an exclamation mark of complex classic style.
Perfect for toasting in a special group, for reflection, for enjoyment throughout the evening, but also an excellent choice for food.
In their youth, these brilliantly balanced and complex giants are already extremely good – truly seductive, hedonistic – but they only reveal their full strength after several more years of bottle aging. However, getting hold of such a matured bottle of Dom Perignon is becoming increasingly difficult, as these rare and exclusive masterpieces are usually sold out very quickly – and understandably, no owner wants to part with them.
As a complement to the Dom Perignon portfolio, there are always limited and iconic special editions created in careful collaboration with contemporary artists. Among others, Björk, Lenny Kravitz, Iris van Herpen, and Lady Gaga have already designed special editions for Dom Perignon. A tribute to the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat also made the hearts of wine lovers and art collectors beat faster.
Undoubtedly, Dom Perignon is rightly one of the great legends among sparkling wines worldwide. A blockbuster, but without being heavy or bulky. Its powerful, spicy character is underlined by a fine, salty minerality that makes Dom Perignon a state-of-the-art vintage champagne without being interchangeable. Pure hedonism in every glass.
