I recently had the opportunity to taste the new vintage Dom Pérignon 2002 before its official release to the market. I have to say that I have been disappointed with the recent vintages of 2000 and 1999. Having tasted other 2002s from other houses, I was hoping that we would see a return to form from the Epernay based giant.
For reference - we opened a 2000 vintage alongside.
The 2002 has a beautiful light gold colour, displaying a sheen and brightness that I associate with the best young Champagne. This hue is enlivened by a steady stream of miniscule bulles that make this very appealing on the eye.
On the nose, the initial attack is a grapey, citrus concentration with a background of fresh hazelnuts. After some 30 minutes, the nose had developed to deep lemon confit, dried apricots, and a toasted brioche - like apricot preserve on a butter croissant.
In the mouth, the newest DP is immediately a huge presence - feeling weighty and creamy on the mid-palate. The attack is fresh, the acid is perfectly in balance and the whole mouthfull is in perfect harmony. The defining character for me is the energy that runs through this wine, a vitality and freshness that will carry this wine into old age. After longer in the glass we see a glimpse of what this wine will become - a toasty, beautifully balanced glass that shows great breeding and depth of flavour that we have not seen since the 1996.
Spine-tingling!
For me the 02 Dom Pérignon is better that the 1996 was as a young wine and may rival the 1990.
I am very excited to offer the wine when it is released in early September 2010.
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