Dom Perignon 1998 Plenitude 2 - P2

The Plénitude (originally Oenothèque) concept has been years in development at Dom Pérignon. After studying the natural course of ageing that vintage champagne seems to undertake, the winemaking team found that, rather than improving steadily and linearly (as is the case with many wines), it develops and matures through three defined stages in its life.

The first release (P1) comes approximately 8 years after the harvest and is the style that most consumers are familiar with. The second stage (P2) takes roughly 15 years, during which time the cuvée takes a profound leap to a new quality level where it will plateau for many years in terms of improvement. Finally, the third plénitude (P3) will see the champagne ageing another 20-30 years until it reaches its ultimate peak. Initially these mature vintages were made available under limited release called “Oenothèque” but were re-branded in 2014 as “Plénitude”. Read more about the Plénitude concept here.

Weather: The 1998 season was marked by extremes: few grapes, a spectacularly hot August and grey, rainy weather during the first two weeks of September. Dom Pérignon held back from harvesting and were able to take advantage of the miraculous spell of good weather that followed - a decision that transpired to be the making of the vintage. The 1998 vintage was first released as the 'standard' Dom Pérignon (P1) labelling back in 2005. The second release, Plénitude 2, was then launched in 2015 after an additional ten years of ageing.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru
Grape Varieties: 55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir
Ageing: 16 years on the lees
Disgorged: 2015
Dosage: 6.5 g/l
Drink: Now to 2032

Tasting Note: Medium gold colour. Loads of honey character and burnt sugar notes on the nose. P2 1998 is appearing quite mature at this stage, but still has great acidity. Has undergone 100% malolactic fermentation adding complexity and a slight buttery personality. Very evolved and masses of complexity.

Dom Pérignon Plénitude 2 - P2 1998 is presented in a high-quality metalled Dom Pérignon gift box (as shown in the bottom left picture).

Dom Pérignon is the prestige cuvée of prestige cuvées. Uniquely only available as a vintage champagne produced in exceptional years from just two grape varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Dom Pérignon is an iconic wine with an unrivalled heritage. Often considered one of the founding fathers of Champagne itself, the Benedictine Monk Dom Pierre Pérignon spent forty-seven years working in the historic Abbey of Hautvillers pursuing his ambition to create the "best wine in the world".

Today, that legacy lives on. Produced in amazing volumes yet retaining its sheer class, Moët & Chandon's prestige cuvée is so distinguishable, the two brands are best considered autonomous. Based on a core of Grand Cru villages and the oldest vines of the Premier Cru of Hautvillers, 'The Dom' is a wine of tension, power and long-ageing endurance and has been the vision of talented Chef de Cave, Richard Geoffroy, for over two and a half decades. Geoffroy's unique winemaking philosophy is to allow the personality of each vintage to express itself and compliment it with the famous House style, rather than simply re-creating an identical blend each year.

Cellar Master: 1990 - 2019: Richard Geoffroy | 2019 - Present: Vincent Chaperon
Winery Location: Épernay | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Côte des Blancs
Annual Production (bottles): Undisclosed