Dom Pérignon through Decades
Tasted Sunday, March 12, 2023 by sirpat00 with 131 views
Introduction
A small group session moderated by William Kelley who added plenty of fun facts and anecdotes around the estate. Until 1947 this was mostly Moët juice poured into Dom Pérignon bottles as a form of late release. In the 60ies they went from oak to stainless steel, as did most houses. By the 80ies the Dom Pérignon brand became more important than the own label. Moët then bought Lanson and Pommery in the 90ies who had some of the best parcels in the Champagne. They then went on to sell the brands (at a similar price) while keeping the vineyards.
William also explained Dom Pérignon doesn’t explicitly mention Grand Cru on the label, hence likely not only GC vineyards going in. They also have a tendency to pick riper now, leave more compacted lees which give a more nutty flavor profile. For the liqueur d’expédition Moët uses beetroot sugar which give more breadth and smoky notes. For comparison, Roederer and Bollinger use cane sugar while growers mostly use rectified grape must / MCR.
Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Wine list:
Dom Pérignon P2 2002 - 97
Dom Pérignon 2012 - 95
Dom Pérignon 2003 - 95 (flawed)
Dom Pérignon 1980 - 94
Dom Pérignon 1975 - 94
Dom Pérignon 1959 - 93
Moët Collection 2002 - 92
Dom Pérignon 1976 - 91
Dom Pérignon 1962 - 85
2012 Dom Pérignon Champagne 95 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Lightly toasted notes of brioche and bakery with a distinct pear and green apple fruit, all on top of a broad mineral base. A herbal dimension and almond slivers. Intense palate, fresh with lots of tension. Promising, even if not as impressive as the Cristal 2012 at first sight.
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2003 Dom Pérignon Champagne 95 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was slightly corked unfortunately. Intense lemon zest fruit along with the ripe pear, again lightly toasted with defined brioche, fine nutty notes and fresh herbal accents. Similarly intense, almost boastful palate which unfortunately is also slightly tainted. More lemon-type of fruit. Even though this was never completely clean, I am more than happy to venture an excellent score of 95 here as this just showed so much potential! Need to revisit...
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2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2 97 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was a bit closed initially and needed time to open up. But incredibly linear and precise from the start. Apple and lemon curd fruit with almonds and mineral complexity. Palate showed great intensity and was densely packed and structured. William explained they picked the Chardonnay rather late that year which made this too austere initially, but time has brought pieces together. Third time tasting this in only 4 months with consistently outstanding results.
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2002 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage Collection 92 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was tasted blind next to the 2002 P2. This spent 19 years on the lees. A slightly sweet bouquet, detailed with fine aging notes of hazelnuts, but limited expression and rather low intensity. A nice, decently fresh palate but with not that much structure and tension. Drinks nicely now, but wouldn’t cellar much longer.
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1990 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Flawed
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Unfortunately corked and hard to discern details. Probably a nicely aged nose and seemed like there was a plentiful structure behind the palate.
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1980 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 94 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was apparently from a special bottle with a market-specific dosage (more sugar than regular disgorgement) which is something Dom Pérignon used to do until 1985 as a means of catering to local market needs. Caramelized fruit profile with bruised apple and pear, smoke, lost of burned sugar and lightly toasted bread. Amazingly vibrant palate with top mousse and more burned sugar. Perfectly fresh acidity. Only downside, this seems to be losing a bit of tension and structure.
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1976 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 91 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was apparently from a special bottle with a market-specific dosage (more sugar than regular disgorgement) which is something Dom Pérignon used to do until 1985 as a means of catering to local market needs. William explained this was the driest vintage until 1982 in the Champagne. Bruised pear fruit with fine brioche notes. Initially muted, but gaining intensity over time. Still fresh palate, but structurally felt a bit weak. Given the reputation of the vintage and considering accounts of fellow tasters at the table this was probably not the best bottle out there.
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1975 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 94 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Delicate and nicely defined fruit profile, bruised apple and pear but with some fresher elements too. Fine nutty aromatics with just hints of caramel and brioche. Good tension with fresh acidity and still refreshing bubbles. Precise and detailed palate too, also showing some brioche. This went through a bit of parabolic flight with aeration, improving initially before reverting back to the start. In this comparison, the 1975 came in well ahead of the 1976.
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1962 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 85 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
This was already pretty oxidized, for my liking beyond what I would consider a feature of complexity. Aromas of caramel, wet forest floor and some bread-like notes and not much fruit. The palate has become very thin, some Cognac-like flavors kept this alive, but otherwise the structure was mostly reduced to acidity. A few in the group still liked it.
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1959 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 93 Points
France, Champagne
Matter of Taste Masterclass “Dom Pérignon through Decades”. Impressive demonstration of the longevity of Dom Pérignon 1959-2012 with most still decent if not great shape. However, I did prefer the linearity of more recent vintages (2012, 2003) and consequently the wine of the tasting was also the straightest of them all which was the 2002 P2. Of the older vintages 1980 and 1975 were drinking best in my view. More snippets on history, fun facts and wine list included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
The aroma profile very much Cognac-like with caramel, an array of nuts, cigar and cigar box. Unlike the 1962, this still had tangible fruit left: bruised apple, raisin and other candid fruit. The palate was intact, again with Cognac-like complexity, acidity more dominant but still in balance.
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