2017 Dom Pérignon: Chardonnay ascendant

Dom Pérignon was the original Champagne prestige cuvée. It was launched in London in 1935, and in New York a year later. Even in the teeth of depression years, it was a runaway success, and that first lustre has never worn off. It is only produced as a vintage cuvée, and is made from the best grapes selected from 17 grand cru sites, and one single premier cru: Hautvilliers, the site where the Benedictine monk and cellarmaster Dom Pérignon once toiled. It is deliberately made in a reductive (oxygen-free) style, with the base wines being vinified in steel rather than wood, on the grounds that this contributes to a longer life. That also means that Dom Pérignon can take a little longer to come round than some lesser Champagnes.

It is usually a Pinot Noir-led Champagne, but the dramatic circumstances of the 2017 vintage have turned that on its head. Summer was blazing hot and drought threatened yields. Chardonnay lapped the heat up and ripened beautifully, and 2017 Dom Pérignon is 61% Chardonnay. Yields are small though, and as Galloni notes 'this wine will come and go pretty quickly'. We'll have a sample on tasting this Thursday.  /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines available Spring 2026. To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998