Dom Pérignon is only available as a vintage champagne and is only produced in exceptional years. Each vintage is a creation, singular and unique, that expresses both the character of the year, and the character of Dom Pérignon. After at least eight years of lees ageing in the cellars, the wine enters its first phase of interest, Plenitude 1, showing quite youthful fruit and broad texture from the lees contact. The signature Dom Pérignon aromatic is that "hint smoky" character a result of the reductive winemaking where they go to extreme lengths to keep each step of the winemaking process free of oxygen. With every sip of Dom Perignon you always have that purity of fruit character, depending on the vintage you normally see the Pinot Noir fruit dominate, which are those red fruits like raspberry, peach and dark cherry. The Chardonnay adds a supporting layer of chalky texture and delicious fruit in the yellow spectrum like plum, apple and tropical notes of pineapple.

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 does not come in a gift box.