Dom Pérignon, a hallmark of exceptional craftsmanship, is exclusively available as a vintage champagne, reserved for only the most extraordinary years. Each vintage is a singular creation, a unique expression that mirrors both the essence of the year and the distinct character of Dom Pérignon. Following a minimum of eight years of lees aging in the cellars, the wine embarks on its initial journey of discovery, known as Plenitude 1. During this phase, it exhibits youthful fruitfulness and a broad, textured profile attributed to its contact with the lees. Dom Pérignon's signature aroma is a delicate hint of smokiness, a testament to the meticulous, oxygen-free winemaking process.
With every sip of Dom Pérignon, one is treated to the pure essence of fruit character. Depending on the vintage, the dominant Pinot Noir grapes impart flavors of red fruits like raspberry, peach, and dark cherry. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay grapes add a supportive layer of chalky texture and a delightful array of yellow-hued fruits, including plum, apple, and tropical notes of pineapple.
The 2004 winemaking year etches a remarkable chapter in the storied history of Dom Pérignon, characterized by its extraordinary grace and munificence. This exceptional year unfurled in an almost idyllic fashion, a seamless procession of seasons devoid of any disruptions or excesses. A pleasantly cool August seamlessly transitioned into a few weeks of parching, sun-soaked heat, setting the stage for the creation of this exceptional vintage. On September 24th, the harvest commenced, yielding grapes of unparalleled ripeness and quality.
In this second plenitude of the 2004 Vintage, the fruit maintains its discreet presence while gaining clearer definition. It gracefully transitions from citrusy notes of pink grapefruit and blood oranges to the luscious richness of figs. Extended aging on the lees enhances the vintage's minerality, imbuing it with the sublime maturity that characterizes Dom Pérignon. Plénitude 2, 2004, unveils a symphony of flavors including cocoa, mocha, roasted nuts, brioche, and honey.
This wine dances on the precipice, offering immediate surprises as it evolves, oscillating between tension and weightlessness. It possesses an unparalleled, tactile precision, resonating with depth and sculptural finesse. All these sensations converge into a persistent and elegantly structured finish, underscored by lingering, sap-filled hints of licorice.
“It’s a wine which is dancing,” Dom Pérignon chief winemaker Vincent Chaperon says. “It’s wine that’s all about the fruit. All about the volume. It’s so easy to drink, so harmonious. It’s certainly the most ethereal, the most airy, the most gravity-defying wine of our operation.”