Dom Perignon 2010
$199.99
Critical Acclaim:
“98 points.
“The 2010 Dom Perignon is going to surprise you. I really like how the Champagne shows such a drinkability already yet it remains precise, solid and dry on the palate. The tropical fruits are there in the glass like you expect from DP, such as pineapple, white peach, and mango, not to mention the pie crust and bread dough. Yet it’s linear and finely textured with a brightness and vividness.
“Vincent Chaperon, cellar master for DP, explained to me over Zoom today that the vintage was a tricky one and that some of his colleagues were surprised he even decided to do a 2010 DP. “But through a lot of work we were able to make something exceptional,” he said.
“Chaperon said the grape growing season for 2010 was excellent for Champagne but that heavy rains in early August brought challenges. “Most of us didn’t realize how bad the botrytis was going to be in the vineyards following the rain,” he said.
“They had to do some pretty heavy selecting of the grapes to make sure they were clean and in good condition. But what they finally made as base wines were pristine and they were able to produce about 80 percent of a normal vintage.
“I tasted today the 2010 against the 2008, which I bought at Watson’s Wine down the street from my wine bar in Hong Kong. And the two wines are very different. I found the 2010 much more balanced and drinkable with the acidity and density of fruit more in harmony than the 2008. The latter is also much more intense and powerful, with some restraint. Meanwhile the 2010 shows an integration and layered-ness with the acidity and phenolics in the wine balancing out the fruit and yeast character.
“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
