DomPerignonPlenitude2P2Vintage2008

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 smokyâ€?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. rrThe 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.rrThe 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 “Oenothèqueâ€?but were re-branded in 2014 as “Plénitudeâ€? Read more about the Plénitude concept here.rrWeather: 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies â€?an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Spring and summerrought the same lack of sunlight and absence of high temperatures. It was September that saved the vintage, belatedly and miraculously. Just when the harvest was getting underway (on September 15), the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. Picking was spread out over a long period in order to benefit from this positive turn of events. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier CrurGrape Varieties: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% ChardonnayrLees Ageing: 15 years rDisgorged: September 2023rDosage: 4.5 g/lrAlcohol: 12.5%rDrink: Now to 2044+rrTasting Note: The 2006 Dom Pérignon P2 is magnificent. Rich and soaring in its intensity, the P2 is absolutely stunning. What comes through most is the style of the year more than the style of the P2 series. Tangerine, apricot, mint, white pepper, passionfruit and spice all race out of the glass. The ripeness of the year is evident, but all the elements are so masterfully balanced. The balance of exoticness and freshness is just mind-blowing.Tasted by Antonio Galloni