2018 Dom Perignon

The 2018 Dom Pérignon, born of a dry, solar year and an August harvest, is a lighter-footed, less concentrated rendition when considered alongside the 2017. It opens with a moderately complex bouquet of clementine, fresh apricot and cardamom, mingling with notes of nectarine, iris and freshly baked bread, offering rather little in the way of reductive character. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with a sweet, fleshy core of fruit and a pillowy mousse. Its acids are ripe—and softer than those of the 2017, yet racy—carrying the wine toward a long, delicately phenolic finish. Even if it starts its life somewhat less expressive, as it evolves on its fruit and the extract derived from its ripe skins, it may well, in time, render my initial assessment on the conservative side. A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, it was disgorged in March 2024 and finished with a dosage of about seven grams per liter.

Very floral aromas with jasmine, honeysuckle, lemons and subtle apples. Lavender as well. The medium-bodied palate has super-integrated bubbles, a touch of fine phenolics and a racy, lively finish. Weightless and refined for the vintage. The aftertaste includes ginger, dried apples, lychees, bitter lemons and minerals. 54% chardonnay and 46% pinot noir. Dosage 4.5 g/L. Mid-2026 release. A new style for Dom Perignon? Drink now.

Full bottle 1,646 g. 54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. Vincent Chaperon's first vintage, to be commercially released in the first half of 2026. The reverse of weather in 2017: the season started cool and wet and then became warmer and drier, which is ideal. Light water stress just before picking. According to Chaperon 2018 is 'in a way 2004++'. Both were perfect years for growing with no disease. But 2018 was warmer than 2004 with 25% more light in the spring. They both had high yields, even if 2018 was not quite as big as 2004. They produced much more than 12 months' stock, one of biggest volumes of Dom P ever, though less than 2004. Smoky, tense and taut with more marked acidity and depth than the 2017. But then the ripeness really shines through, too, though there's a touch of something saline or mineral. This should last well. Great fruit intensity. Really very glamorous indeed. A no-brainer for hedonists. Jancis Robinson