Vinous (98)

The 2004 Dom Pérignon is a totally different beast. It is the product of a very long and cool growing season marked by heavy summer rains in some sectors of the region and then ideal conditions through to harvest. After a brutally torrid 2003, the vines responded by setting a huge crop. In fact, 2004 remains the most abundant vintage in the history of Champagne. The best wines, though, well, they have always impressed with their laser-like cut and focus. That’s exactly what comes through in the 2004 Dom Pérignon. Tasted from magnum, the 2004 shows all the linear energy and crystalline precision of the year, but with that extra magic that comes from fermentation and longer aging in the big bottle. The 2004 has long been one of my favorite Dom Pérignons. From magnum, it is especially captivating.

Vinous (98)

The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent.

Vinous (98)

The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent.

Vinous (98)

The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent.

James Suckling (98)

A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.

James Suckling (98)

A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.

Decanter (98)

What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of fresh fruit, herbs, liquorice, and menthol. There is even a refreshing note of ivy. The palate is tense, vibrant, and very fresh despite its impressive density, which meets its match with an unending finish. This 2012 incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity, along with a capacity for ageing, that it is surely destined for a second life in a P2 edition.

Decanter (98)

What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of fresh fruit, herbs, liquorice, and menthol. There is even a refreshing note of ivy. The palate is tense, vibrant, and very fresh despite its impressive density, which meets its match with an unending finish. This 2012 incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity, along with a capacity for ageing, that it is surely destined for a second life in a P2 edition.

James Suckling (98)

A driven and serious DP with aromas of chalk, biscuits, apricot stones and lemons. Some spice and dried flowers, too. So sleek and sophisticated. Elegant. Yet, it’s long and powerful, with a sharp minerality. Tight and precise. Reminds me of bottles from the 1980s, such as 1988. It really takes off. Disgorged October 2021. Drinkable on release in January 2023, but better in a couple of years. A DP for the cellar.

Vinous (98)

The 2008 Dom Pérignon is a huge, powerful Champagne and also clearly one of the wines of the vintage. This is one of the most reticent bottles I have tasted. So much so that I am thinking about holding off opening any more bottles! The 2008 has always offered a striking interplay of fruit and structure. Today, the richness of the fruit is especially evident. Readers who own the 2008 should be thrilled, but patience is a must.

Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (96)

The 2002 Dom Perignon is at first intensely floral, with perfumed jasmine that dominates the bouquet. With time in the glass the wine gains richness as the flavors turn decidedly riper and almost tropical. Apricots, passion fruit and peaches emerge from this flashy, opulent Dom Perignon. The wine's volume makes it approachable today, but readers in search of more complexity will want to cellar this for at least a few years to allow for some of the baby fat to drop off.

One of the top expressions from 2012 was the imperious Dom Pérignon awarded a huge 98 points by Yohan Castaing alongside 97 points, courtesy of Antonio Galloni (Vinous) and 96+ points from William Kelley (Wine Advocate).

 

An outing which “incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity”, this blend of 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay is a great pick right now for both superb drinking in a number of years' time and more immediate appreciation given the current explosive market for Champagne.

James Suckling (100)

This shows amazing freshness and depth of fruit while remaining agile and very clean. Full body, dense and layered on the palate. Goes on for minutes with each sip. Lots of mineral and chalk character too. A fabulous Champagne. A blend of half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay.

Decanter (99)

And so from P1 methuselah to P2, which for Geoffroy ‘goes beyond Champagne’. P2, he continues, must be ‘deeper, richer, longer…better than P1' - otherwise why release it? Well, they haven't yet, although it's pencilled in for later in 2019. Here we have drive, vinosity and incredible length. The sweet and savoury balance indulges with a seductive embrace. Gustav Klimt in a glass maybe. Outstanding.

Jeb Dunnuck (97+)

The 2004 Champagne Plentitudes 2 is a stark contrast to the 2003 vintage and offers a more compact and linear expression, with energetic tension and persistence. Composed of 38% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, the nose is flush with wet stone reminiscent of great Chablis, along with white nectarine and white flowers. The palate runs seamless with a super-fine mousse, vibrant peach orchard fruit, and a silky mineral texture. This may well prove to be the longer-lived of the two wines. Drink 2024-2044.

James Suckling (98)

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 (98)

A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.

The Domaine de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons L'Eclos des Abeilles 2020 is produced in the heart of Burgundy, France. A delight to fine wine enthusiasts, this wine is an expression of the bespoke dedication and artistry of winemaker Nicolas Potel. Domaine de Bellene, founded in 2005, exemplifies Potel's commitment towards environmental sustainability and valorising terroir. This wine hails from vineyards cultivated using biodynamic principles, yielding an organic blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes.

The 2020 vintage is distinct, promising a bold yet nuanced profile. A nose of ripe cherries, spices and undergrowth, precedes a palate that boasts of juicy ripe tannins and crisp acidity. Seductive red fruit and earthy tones harmonise, culminating in a balanced, savoury finish - a testament to the high quality of Bellene's traditional winemaking techniques. The Domaine de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons L'Eclos des Abeilles 2020 is a remarkable and essential addition to any discerning wine collection.

James Suckling (98)

This is really powerful and structured with superb muscle and phenolic tension. Yet, it’s formed and polished, layered and dense. Full-bodied, but energetic and focused. Vibrant acidity. Goes on for minutes. Citrus, stone, straw, salt and chalk. Incredible. Try after 2023.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is dense and very structured with phenolic tension and depth. Full-bodied, lightly phenolic with sliced apples, cooked pears and lemons. Lively and intense. Solid as a rock. This is one to watch.

Revel in the luxury of the Domaine de Marzilly Champagne Ullens L.P.M NV, a prestigious creation from the renowned Côte des Bar region in France. This exquisite blanc de noirs embodies tradition and mastery, exclusively crafted from carefully selected Pinot Noir grapes. Brought to life by the meticulous savoir-faire of Domaine de Marzilly, a devoted producer recognised for their artful exploration of terroir-driven expression, this non-vintage champagne showcases an intense personality and superb structure.

The Champagne Ullens L.P.M NV undergoes intricate traditional method secondary fermentation and extended lees ageing, conferring complexity, texture and a distinguished brioche note to its vibrant fruit character. Notes of ripe apple, citrus zest, and subtle minerality marry harmoniously, crowned with a creamy mousse and a splendid finish.

Indulge in the opulence of Domaine de Marzilly Champagne Ullens L.P.M NV, a timeless reflection of the enchanting charisma of the exceptional Côte des Bar terroir.

Vinous (95)

(two barrels produced, vs. a normal eight): Bright, pale yellow. Vibrant aromas of lemon gelato and wild herbs. Very complex, pure and refined, boasting an utterly silky, seamless texture to its intense citrus peel, fresh herb and mineral flavors. Really outstanding inner-mouth energy here, followed by a slowly mounting finish that saturates the taste buds. A great wine in the making, but not for drinking anytime soon. (I found the 2017 version a bit juicier and fruitier, and there will be ten barrels of the younger vintage as the crop level was generous.) According to winemaker Frédéric Barnier, 2017 has more sweetness as a vintage, but while the '17 Chevalier-Montrachet is round, opulent and tasty, the '16 is extremely pure, fresh and linear, and will expand with time in the cellar. But even today it's silky, tactile, edge-free and extremely long.

James Suckling (96)

Very attractive and fresh aromas of wet stones and fine limes with youthful peaches and green mango. The scintillatingly long and powerful palate is pinned in place with bracing acidity and has unwavering length of peaches and citrus fruit. Breathtaking finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous (96-98)

The 2019 Chevalier-Montrachet Demoiselles Grand Cru is beautifully defined on the nose, featuring wonderful crushed limestone and gunflint scents that permeate the green apple aromas. Very focused and intense. The palate is extremely well balanced with a powerful opening, very saline and so full of energy. Enormous weight and presence toward the finish. This is an outstanding Chevalier-Montrachet from Jadot.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The king of the cellar on the white side of the ledger is the 2020 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Les Demoiselles (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot), a striking wine that unfurls in the glass with notes of citrus oil, white flowers, buttered popcorn, chalky soil tones, beeswax and spices. Full-bodied, multidimensional and layered, it's muscular and concentrated, with racy acids, an abundance of structuring dry extract and a long, resonant finish. It is worth a special effort to seek out.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2021 Chevalier-Montrachet Demoiselles Grand Cru is a step up from the Bâtard-Montrachet in terms of complexity and mineralité. Yellow plum and pressed flower hints emerge and lend more complexity with time. The palate is well balanced with a crisp line of acidity. This Chevalier gathers momentum towards a detailed, lightly spiced finish with just the right amount of extract. The 2021 has real pedigree.

Explore a genuine revelation created in the Alpine expanse of Savoie. A part of the innovative Belluard family legacy since 1947, Domaine Dominique Belluard Monsieur Gringet 2020 is a rare find, sculpted from organic Gringet grapes, an ancient Savoie variety, that flourish within the clayey chalk soils of Ayse. The meticulous nurturing of Domaine Dominique Belluard, both in biodynamic viticulture and manual grape harvesting, imparts it the distinct effervescence and character.

Matured in Burgundian casks, lees ageing elevates Monsieur Gringet 2020 depth and complexity. On the nose, chromatic spectrum of floral, mineral and spice accents unfurl. On the palate, the vintage thrills with vibrant notes of citrus, pear and honeysuckle. Structure, elegance, and high acidity make it ageworthy too. Domaine Dominique Belluard Monsieur Gringet 2020 most befits seafood, particularly shellfish, stimulating refined culinary moments. A quintessential representation of the Ayse terroir, this wine exhibits the Belluard's commitment to preserving the region's viticulture.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

I was able to taste two 2019s. Looking first at the 2019 Saint-Péray Roussanne, it has a tight, reductive, mineral-laced bouquet of quince, grilled peach, white flowers, and crushed stone. Gorgeous on the palate as well, it's full-bodied, has a round, layered textured, perfect balance, and one heck of a great finish. It reminds me of a great vintage of Château Beaucastel's Vieille Vignes Blanc.

Vinous (94)

Translucent, green-hued yellow. Assertive orchard and pit fruit and orange peel scents are complemented by building honey and fennel flourishes. Concentrated and energetic on the palate, offering intense white peach, pear and tangerine flavors that become spicier as the wine opens up. A floral quality appears on the seamless finish, which shows a hint of smokiness and excellent persistence. This wine was raised in a 75/25 combination of unlined 500-liter amphoras and neutral demi-muids.