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 1996 season was full of contrasts: a capricious summer with wet periods not compensating for the earlier drought. However, the periods of high heat preceding the harvest led to exceptional maturity, marked by a rare balance of power and acidity. This vintage has all the inimitable traits of a great Dom Pérignon Rosé with all the light-heartedness, vivacity and vibrancy of the Pinot Noir grape matched with great Chardonnay balance.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru
Grape Varieties: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay | inc. 20% Red Wine
Lees Ageing: 16 years
Dosage: 5 g/l
Drink: Now to 2028

Tasting Note: A really strong pink colour with hints of cherry and raspberry. Lots of summer fruits and just a dash of ripe red pepper on the nose. On the palate there is evolution from the original release of this vintage with lots berry fruit: raspberry, strawberry and cherry all prominent. The finish has a spicy undertone with just a hint of lemon and great refreshing acidity. The ageing potential of this champagne is amazing, it seems very young yet is already twenty years old!

Dom Pérignon Rosé Plénitude 2 - P2 1996 is presented in a high-quality metalled Dom Pérignon gift box (as shown in the bottom left picture). This is an exceptionally rare champagne and The Finest Bubble are one of just a handful of retailers lucky enough to secure stock of this late-release cuvée.