Champagne, FranceAll in all, after a challenging start, 2012 is a vintage to be reckoned with and having tasted it now, we can confirm that this Dom is doing fine in the bottle after ten years. The growing season started with frost in the winter and spring, followed by heavy rains, frightening hailstorms and cold spells throughout the flowering. After that, an intensely warm summer seemed extreme, but the saviour was a warm, dry fall with a September 10 to 26 harvest. So today, the wine shows plenty of promise as it emerges a decade later. Typically fresh but mouth-filling, the nose is a mix of stony minerals, chalk and white flowers. The palate is expansive and complete with ripe apricot notes, flecks of rhubarb and dried herbs and more of that chalky minerality in the finish. Long seductive and flavourful, this is a wine to sip and savour for as long as possible. They like to talk more about energy in Champagne, and this wine has more than its share. This is the bottle to buy when you want to celebrate or see the stars.Tasted: 18 November 2022Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceThe most classic of the Classics? Dom Pérignon is named after the 17th century Benedictine monk, Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), who, by legend, is said to have invented sparkling wine while cellarmaster at the Abbey of Hautvillers. This is the prestige cuvée of Moët et Chandon since 1937. 2012 has been widely recognized as an epic vintage (reputed a 'solar' vintage, like 2022), so it's little surprise this DP is glowing at present. A near split of pinot noir and chardonnay (51% / 49%), this was disgorged in September 2020, with 5 g/L, after 7+ years sur lattes. Having most recently tasted the 2010 DP, this is leaps and bounds beyond. Exceptional depth and complexity here, with fine tuned lemon shaping green and red apple, white cherry, decadent brioche, across a deeply layered, deeply chalky core. Corseted with lemon zest, and laced with riveting salinity, this lingers extremely long on the chalky finish. Nimble, yet assertive, this DP merges elegance with power. Drinking so very well now, and all signs point to a lengthy future ahead. Wow.Tasted: 03 November 2022Tasted by: Prices:
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