Dom Pérignon’s 2003 P2 comes from one of the most atypical vintages in Champagne; the warm vintage bringing fantastic density to the palate. It has a complex, toasty, yet delicate nose with citrus peel, dried sage, grilled hazelnuts and subtle truffle aromas. The power comes on the palate, with concentrated sweet fruit (ripe apples and roasted pineapple), backed by a luscious, creamy mouthfeel, and a beautiful salinity on the long finish. The bracing acidity promises this P2 still has a long way to go, although it is showing beautifully at 18 years of age. It is a blend of 62% Pinot Noir (the highest proportion in the wine’s history) and 38% Chardonnay. The dosage is 5g/l.
FINE+RARE (June 2021)
This is a very thick, dense DP with layers of ripe fruit. Dried apple, pineapple and pie crust with some nougat undertones. Dense and layered with chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Umami undertone. This has the highest percentage of pinot noir ever. 15 years on the lees in bottle. 62% pinot noir and 38% chardonnay. Drink or hold.
James Suckling (May 2021)Score: 98/100
The notoriously daring vintage of Dom Pérignon at 18 years old in recently disgorged form. Rich, broad nose, with notes of candied mandarin - not instantly recognizable as Dom P on the nose. Toasty palate entry and still quite rich on the palate, thanks to lower than usual acidity presumably. Again, there was no fear of phenolics when making this wine as the logic was that the phenolics would make up for the softness of the acidity. This is now a gentle wine with very much its own personality. Soft and smoky at the start and then saline and refreshing on the finish. It's more like a bit of told-you-so evidence than necessarily, the one Dom P you would choose from the current range available. But, boy, does it persist! Drink 2021 – 2027.
Jancis Robinson MW (April 2021)Score: 18/20Drink 2021-2027
Every Dom Pérignon vintage is built to eventually become a Plénitude 2 and Plénitude 3 and so is the 2003! It was such a challenging and unprecedentedly hot year. Yet there is nothing heavy in Dom Pérignon of the year. The nose is stunningly toasty with sweet, vanilla laden fruit, hay, juniper, cookie dough and cream. On the palate it is exuberant, round and textured with a notion of firming phenolics of a hot year on the back palate. The time on lees seems to have created some extra roundness and delicious sweetness to the fruit. Finely bubbling energetic palate finishing on a pure mineral freshness.
Essi Avellan MWScore: 96-97/100
A wonderful and unique wine from an equally unique vintage filled with oxidation-preventing phenols. I have always been a faithful defender of this wine. It will forever be unique and different with a higher density and concentration than any other Dom Pérignon. Every minute a new sequence of aromas that dominates appears. In some sips the gray toasted and classic notes dominate, next time iodine and oyster shell take over to let the richly candied fruit of peach, mango and apricot jam take over in a third wave. What makes me recognize the vintage are the notes of licorice, black truffle, ash, tar, salt and asphalt. The structure is monumental and muscular with a wonderful interplay between dynamics, rhythm and intensity. In the taste, the same dark notes emerge as in the aroma, but the fruit is in this P2 stage more floral and spicy with a hint of lemongrass and mint where the normally disgorged version breathes more nougat, mint chocolate and orange.
Richard JuhlinScore: 95-96/100
Champagne / France
2021-2027