- A soft palate but with a phenolic finish
- Improves with exposure to air but needs time
Dom Pérignon in the warm, ripe year of 2015
Dom Pérignon 2015 is full-bodied and concentrated, with low acidity and a soft, opulent palate that is influenced by phenolics on the finish. After several hours exposed to air, the wine’s mineral core becomes apparent and the palate gains freshness. After seven years on the lees—internally referred to as Plénitude 1, though unlike P2 and P3, this is not labelled as such—fruit aromas and a buttery, toasty richness dominate. The house style is reductive, meaning that every effort is made to limit oxygen exposure during winemaking. This is reflected in subtle smoky notes.
Following a wet winter and a mild spring, the 2015 vintage was marked by uninterrupted sunny, warm weather from mid-May to mid-August. The heat at the end of July and in the first half of August led to rapidly rising sugar levels in the grapes. However, the skins were not yet phenolically ripe, especially in areas where soil moisture was limited. The best Champagne soils, with their fine-grained chalk, retain plenty of water and were less affected. Acidity levels in the grapes also dropped. After some rainfall, harvest began as early as 29 August to prevent further acid loss. Many grapes, however, were not fully ripe. This resulted in bitter tannins on the finish, even when the must had only brief contact with the skins. This is also evident in aromas of raw mushrooms, which can indicate under-ripeness. At Dom Pérignon, there is no rush. Sunny but cool weather in mid-September created ideal conditions for ripe fruit. Nonetheless, Dom Pérignon 2015 also shows phenolic grip on the finish and low acidity. The structure in this vintage comes from the chalky minerals. Still, 2015 is a particularly opulent, soft Dom Pérignon. The ageing potential is more difficult to assess; some hot years, like 1976, develop very slowly and are extremely long-lived. Dom Pérignon 2015 will continue to improve, but is likely to offer its best drinking experiences over the next ten years.
Dom Pérignon 2015 was disgorged in January 2023 with 4.5 g dosage. It consists of 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay.