Cellarmaster Vincent Chaperon at the virtual launch yesterday, Monday 14 June 2021
Cellarmaster Vincent Chaperon held a virtual launch of Dom Perignon 2012 and Dom Perignon P2 2003 yesterday from Hautvillers, Champagne.
The two wines could not be more different.
The younger is bristling with vitality or, in Chaperon’s own word to sum up the vintage, “energy”.
Dom Perignon 2012 will be available in Singapore and Asia end of the year. And in the UK in October 2021. Dom Perignon P2 2003 will be available in Singapore next month July 2021
Dom Perignon 2012 is like a racehorse being held back at the gate. All pent-up stamina waiting to be unleased. As soon as the gate is opened, the prized thoroughbred will bolt and sweep everything in its path. 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir
Dom Perignon P2 2003 is the other end of the spectrum. No other major Champagne house, as far as I am aware, declared a vintage that heatwave year (it was so seared in 2003, Bordeaux was allowed to acidify its wines). Dom Perignon is to be congratulated for being so audacious even if 2003 is very much an acquired taste. Bright light gold in shimmer. The heat – like a burning bush – is apparent on the nose. Brioche, butter, roundness on the palate. More wine than champagne even if champagne is a wine after all. Already quite evolved, it will be interesting – to wait and see – if Dom Perignon will release 2003 as a P3 in the years to come. 62% Pinot Noir (the highest ever for Dom Perignon) and 38% Chardonnay
You may also want to read … Wine of the Week • Dom Perignon 2012