Dom Pérignon is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest champagnes. It is named after a Benedictine monk who was thought to have invented the traditional method for making sparkling wines. Dom Pérignon is only available as a vintage cuvee, made only in the best years. The wine is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir, with 7g/l dosage. All vintages need at least 12 months ageing to nurture Dom Pérignon’s signature silky mousse.
100 Points James Suckling
This shows amazing freshness and depth of fruit while remaining agile and very clean. Full body, dense and layered on the palate. Goes on for minutes with each sip. Lots of mineral and chalk character too. A fabulous Champagne. A blend of half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay.
97 Points Robert Parker – Wine Advocate
The 1996 Dom Perignon OEenotheque offers up layers of pastry, lemon, smoke and toastiness. At first deceptively understated, the wine turns positively explosive and layered on the palate, showing remarkable tension, elegance and power, all wrapped around a seriously intense frame. The balance between fruit and acidity is awesome. This is a marvelous DP OEeno. The OEeno is the same juice as the regular Dom Perignon, except the OEeno is aged on the cork while the regular DP is aged in crown-sealed bottles. Once disgorged, the OEenos gets a slightly lower dosage than is typical for the original release DP.
18+/20 Jancis Robinson
Deeper straw than the regular 1996 vintage Dom P. Much more expressive on the nose, although with lots of evidence of age. Complete and fresh on the palate – much more youthful than the regular 1996. For perfection I’d choose the nose of this and the palate of the regular! Masses of acidity still in evidence. Exuberant, creamy wine with no hurry to drink it.