1996 Dom Perignon
Buying options
Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,645 g. From a vintage that can be rather austere. A fellow Master of Wine told me recently he'd had a client complain of an oxidised bottle of this but it doesn't seem to be the case here. Not much nose initially, though it opened out to something more savoury than usual for Dom P and definitely dry. Tight bead and pretty introvert. Less opulent than usual, and just a little short. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Just disgorged, no dosage. This will eventually be a P3 with a bit of dosage. Probably under 6 g/l. A little severe but there is so much more buried in there than in the Moët 1996. (JR)
Enjoyed with caviar (brought back from Moscow) on toast. I was a little underwhelmed by this bottle. It was not stonking, nor that persistent. Dark honey colour. Blackcurrant nose had layers that were certainly intriguing but the whole thing came to a very sudden halt. Was there slight TCA? Acidity seemed to be coming to the fore and the finish was almost aggressively dry. The fruit seemed to be fading, I see I also write the D-word in my (more enthusiastic) tasting note written in June 2016. My score may be a bit too harsh. (JR)
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay. Disgorged April 2013. Deeper straw than the regular 1996 vintage Dom P. Much more expressive on the nose, although with lots of evidence of age. Complete and fresh on the palate – much more youthful than the regular 1996. For perfection I’d choose the nose of this and the palate of the regular! Masses of acidity still in evidence. Exuberant, creamy wine with no hurry to drink it. (JR)
About the producer
Dom Pérignon is one of the most highly regarded and well-known Champagnes in the world. The first and original prestige cuvée Champagne, it is today owned by LVMH.