Dom Perignon 2003

Dom Perignon

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Tasting Notes
Once again, the 2003 Dom Pérignon shows its pedigree. Ample, powerful and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2003 is built on a core of huge fruit and serious phenolic structure, both of which make it resemble a still wine, perhaps a fine white Burgundy with a bit of bottle age. There is more than enough density to allow the 2003 to age well for a number of decades. Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2018-2043 01 July 2018
As always, the 2003 Dom Pérignon has a lot to say. Bold, powerful and intensely phenolic in feel, the 2003 packs serious energy to match its explosive personality. The combined effects of a spring frost that decimated yields and a unrelentingly hot summer combined to produce one of the most powerful young Dom Pérignons I have ever tasted. The heavy presence of Pinot (62%) is felt in the wine's volume and breadth, making it one of the most vinous Dom Pérignons in recent memory. Given its structural depth, I imagine the 2003 will drink well for many, many years. Interestingly Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy adds that the 2003 was lower in sugars than the 2002, but richer in phenolics. Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2015-2033 01 October 2015
Unfortunately there is only one new release from Dom Perignon this year. The 2003 is one of the most unusual Dom Perignons I have ever tasted, going back to 1952. Readers will remember that 2003 was a torrid vintage across northern Europe, especially during the critical month of August, when temperatures remained very hot for well over a month. The harvest was the earliest on record, until 2011, that is. I suppose its not that surprising Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy chose to make a 2003 Dom Perignon, given his penchant for risk-taking, an approach that has yielded so many memorable wines that stretch the perception of what big brand Champagne is and can be. The 2003 Dom Perignon is a big, broad shouldered wine. It does not have the seductiveness of the 2000, nor the power of the 2002. It is instead very much its own wine. In 2003 Geoffroy elected to use more Pinot Noir than is typically the case, and that comes through in the wine’s breath and volume. The 2003 is a big, powerful Champagne that will require quite a bit of time to shed some of its baby fat. The trademark textural finesse is there, though. I expect the 2003 to be a highly divisive Champagne because of its extreme personality, but then again, many of the world’s legendary wines were made from vintages considered freakish at the time. The 2003 is an atypically, rich, powerful, vinous Dom Perignon loaded with fruit, structure and personality. It is not for the timid, but rather it is a wine for those who can be patient. No one has a crystal ball, but personally I will not be surprised if in 20 years’ time the 2003 is considered an iconic Champagne. (94+ Points) Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2038 01 November 2011
Finely detailed in texture, with an expressive flavor profile of strawberry pâte de fruit, biscotti, ground anise and ginger, matched to vivid acidity and a rich, minerally character. Broad and creamy on the palate, featuring a long, echoing finish. Drink now through 2029. Score: 96 Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2014-2029 31 December 2014
Disgorged Jun 2010, scheduled for release early 2012. I had tasted a bottle that had just been disgorged a couple of weeks earlier and this second example seemed to have a much more persistent finish. Very much part of the Dom P family with its reductive, smoky nose with tight lemony fruit and a hint of citrus peel. Beautifully balanced - perhaps not quite as intense as the marvellous 2002 but there is no hint of its being a heatwave wine and it still has lots of unfurling to do. Ramrod straight in structure. Bit of a peacock's tail on the finish. Thoroughly satisfying. Score: 18 - 19 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2020 27 August 2011

Tasting Notes

Once again, the 2003 Dom Pérignon shows its pedigree. Ample, powerful and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2003 is built on a core of huge fruit and serious phenolic structure, both of which make it resemble a still wine, perhaps a fine white Burgundy with a bit of bottle age. There is more than enough density to allow the 2003 to age well for a number of decades.

Score: 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2018-2043 01 July 2018

As always, the 2003 Dom Pérignon has a lot to say. Bold, powerful and intensely phenolic in feel, the 2003 packs serious energy to match its explosive personality. The combined effects of a spring frost that decimated yields and a unrelentingly hot summer combined to produce one of the most powerful young Dom Pérignons I have ever tasted. The heavy presence of Pinot (62%) is felt in the wine's volume and breadth, making it one of the most vinous Dom Pérignons in recent memory. Given its structural depth, I imagine the 2003 will drink well for many, many years. Interestingly Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy adds that the 2003 was lower in sugars than the 2002, but richer in phenolics.

Score: 95

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2015-2033 01 October 2015

Unfortunately there is only one new release from Dom Perignon this year. The 2003 is one of the most unusual Dom Perignons I have ever tasted, going back to 1952. Readers will remember that 2003 was a torrid vintage across northern Europe, especially during the critical month of August, when temperatures remained very hot for well over a month. The harvest was the earliest on record, until 2011, that is. I suppose its not that surprising Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy chose to make a 2003 Dom Perignon, given his penchant for risk-taking, an approach that has yielded so many memorable wines that stretch the perception of what big brand Champagne is and can be. The 2003 Dom Perignon is a big, broad shouldered wine. It does not have the seductiveness of the 2000, nor the power of the 2002. It is instead very much its own wine. In 2003 Geoffroy elected to use more Pinot Noir than is typically the case, and that comes through in the wine’s breath and volume. The 2003 is a big, powerful Champagne that will require quite a bit of time to shed some of its baby fat. The trademark textural finesse is there, though. I expect the 2003 to be a highly divisive Champagne because of its extreme personality, but then again, many of the world’s legendary wines were made from vintages considered freakish at the time. The 2003 is an atypically, rich, powerful, vinous Dom Perignon loaded with fruit, structure and personality. It is not for the timid, but rather it is a wine for those who can be patient. No one has a crystal ball, but personally I will not be surprised if in 20 years’ time the 2003 is considered an iconic Champagne. (94+ Points)

Score: 94

Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2038 01 November 2011

Finely detailed in texture, with an expressive flavor profile of strawberry pâte de fruit, biscotti, ground anise and ginger, matched to vivid acidity and a rich, minerally character. Broad and creamy on the palate, featuring a long, echoing finish. Drink now through 2029.

Score: 96

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2014-2029 31 December 2014

Disgorged Jun 2010, scheduled for release early 2012. I had tasted a bottle that had just been disgorged a couple of weeks earlier and this second example seemed to have a much more persistent finish. Very much part of the Dom P family with its reductive, smoky nose with tight lemony fruit and a hint of citrus peel. Beautifully balanced - perhaps not quite as intense as the marvellous 2002 but there is no hint of its being a heatwave wine and it still has lots of unfurling to do. Ramrod straight in structure. Bit of a peacock's tail on the finish. Thoroughly satisfying.

Score: 18 - 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2020 27 August 2011

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