Dom Perignon Vintage 2018 is a landmark release from one of Champagne's most celebrated names, capturing the warmth and generosity of an exceptional growing season while retaining the precision, freshness and balance at the heart of the Dom Perignon style. Presented here in its elegant gift box, this 75cl bottle makes an impressive choice for a special occasion, luxury Champagne gift or an important addition to a collection.
The 2018 vintage also marks an important chapter in the history of Dom Perignon, being the first vintage created entirely under the direction of Cellar Master Vincent Chaperon. The year itself provided remarkable conditions. Abundant sunshine and sustained summer warmth encouraged exceptional ripeness, with harvesting beginning unusually early on 17th August. Rather than simply producing a powerful Champagne, the challenge was to harness this natural generosity while maintaining the tension and harmony for which Dom Perignon is renowned.
Blending 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, Dom Perignon Vintage 2018 brings together richness and precision beautifully. Chardonnay takes a slight lead in the blend, contributing brightness, elegance and definition, while Pinot Noir builds depth, structure and breadth. The result is an expressive Champagne with a generous, almost enveloping texture, yet enough freshness and underlying tension to keep everything beautifully composed.
Fruit is particularly expressive in the 2018 vintage. A distinctive note of ripe apricot leads into orchard fruit and more exotic touches of yellow kiwi and mango, accompanied by subtle leafy, floral and balsamic nuances. On the palate, the Champagne becomes broader and more concentrated, with ripe fruit, fine bubbles and a smooth, almost creamy texture balanced by freshness, gentle bitterness and a savoury mineral character. There is considerable depth here, but also the poise and precision expected from Dom Perignon.
Dom Perignon produces only vintage Champagne, creating a wine from a single harvest rather than maintaining a non-vintage house blend. Each declared vintage is therefore intended to express both the individual character of its year and the unmistakable identity of the Maison. Vintage 2018 is a particularly compelling example: generous and sun-filled in character, yet refined, energetic and beautifully controlled. Its combination of pedigree, ageing potential and significance as Vincent Chaperon's first complete vintage makes Dom Perignon Vintage 2018 Champagne an especially interesting release for enthusiasts and collectors.
Presented in a Dom Perignon gift box, the bottle has all the presence expected of one of Champagne's most prestigious cuvees. Whether bought to celebrate a wedding, anniversary, milestone birthday or other memorable occasion, or selected for the cellar to follow its development over time, Dom Perignon Vintage 2018 is a Champagne with both immediate appeal and considerable potential.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Bright, luminous golden yellow with a fine and persistent stream of bubbles, giving the wine an elegant and energetic appearance in the glass.
Nose:
Expressive and unusually exotic, opening with a distinctive impression of ripe apricot. Orchard fruits follow, joined by yellow kiwi and mango alongside delicate floral, leafy and balsamic nuances. With time in the glass, the aromas become broader and increasingly layered.
Palate:
Ample, concentrated and beautifully textured. Ripe stone fruit and tropical fruit flavours create an immediate sense of generosity, while fine acidity and a subtle savoury quality provide definition. The texture is smooth and almost unctuous, with sweetness, gentle bitterness and freshness working together to give the wine both richness and tension.
Finish:
Long, precise and persistent, gradually moving from ripe fruit into more savoury, mineral and gently bitter notes. The richness of the vintage remains beautifully controlled, leaving a fresh, structured and refined final impression.
