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 year was notable for its exceptional summer: a fairly overcast spring meant that the vines flowered late but quickly. The summer compensated for the spring, with a heat wave arriving at the end of June. For two months, there was hardly any rain, just a few isolated clouds and above-normal temperatures that seat a 30-year record. The harvest began on September 18 for the Chardonnay and on September 25 for the Pinot noir grapes.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru
Grape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Lees Ageing: 9 years
Disgorged: 2005
Dosage: 6 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: The 1995 possesses all the unmistakable structural DP elements: seductive lightness and smooth linearity. Fragrant with honey, iodine and toffee complementing the lemony-floral fruit profile. - Tasted by Essi Avellan MW