Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003

Dom Pérignon is Vintage Only: this is its commitment, to go beyond its origins, beyond mere style.

With taking risk comes the opportunity to reinvent ourselves every year. And so the spirit of Dom Pérignon is passed on, bound to the pursuit of the exceptional through creation.

2003 was a real challenge. Sacrificing nothing to the potential power of this solar, assertive vintage, Dom Pérignon presents a wine of remarkable intensity, that leaves a trace, a memory.

The new Dom Pérignon Vintage

A CHALLENGE TO CREATION
BY RICHARD GEOFFROY

Cellar master, Creator of Dom Pérignon Vintages

Dom Pérignon is Vintage Only: this is its commitment, to go beyond its origins, beyond mere style.

With taking risk comes the opportunity to reinvent ourselves every year. And so the spirit of Dom Pérignon is passed on, bound to the pursuit of the exceptional through creation.

2003 was a real challenge. Sacrificing nothing to the potential power of this solar, assertive vintage, Dom Pérignon presents a wine of remarkable intensity, that leaves a trace, a memory.

The 2003 Harvest

After an unusually harsh, dry winter, the severe frosts of 7 – 11 April devastated the grape crop. This was followed by the hottest summer in 53 years. Any grapes that miraculously survived the frost and hail were then subject to scorching heat. However, the grapes harvested were mature and healthy, and comparable to those of the legendary 1947, 1959 and 1976 harvests.

On the nose

The bouquet spirals through a light-filled, floral softness to the gritty minerality that epitomises Dom Pérignon, evocative of candied fruit, plant life and exquisite camphor leaf freshness, and finally plunges into darkness, spices and liquorice root.

On the palate

At this stage, the wine still has a physical presence. It is striking and demanding, tactile and vibrant rather than aromatic. It is built on rhythm and rupture more than harmony. After an initial cloud of softness, we hit a mineralised verticality that gradually opens out to suggest a bitter, iodised and saline nobility.

AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
JANUARY 2012

A preview of the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003 was released to a select group of experts, tweeting their first taste with #dpdeclares

READ THE TASTING NOTES

18.5

“Very much part of the Dom Pérignon family with its reductive, smoky nose with tight lemony fruit and a hint of citrus peel. Beautifully balanced. […]
Thoroughly satisfying.”

Janice Robinson

96

“It’s only a blessing when nature concentrates the fruit in the way it has done with the 2003. This mighty and extra rich wine will benefit from being drunk as really old. 30 years probably…”

Richard Juhlin

94

“No risk no Reward […] Technical details aside, the DP 2003 is an impressive wine and brilliant in its own right, given the challenges of the year”

Bruce Sanderson

94

“The 2003 Dom Pérignon is one of the most though provoking champagnes I have tasted in a long time. Once again, Richard Geoffroy is pushing the boundaries. Fascinating!”

Antonio Galloni