“Champagne Jayne” was recently mentioning in a comment a trilogy of outstanding vintages: 1953, 1955 and 1959. I have the opportunity (or rather, the privilege!) to taste all the Dom Pérignon vintages regularly, which allows me to follow their evolution for the OEnothèque programme. I decided to browse through my notes to offer you these impressions.
1953 Dom Pérignon
(tasted in 2009, no dosage)
1953 was a generous vintage, very expressive right at release (about as totally opposed to 1952 as possible). Rich and full, mellow and luscious, this wine reveals notes of butter, honey and dried apricot. As the wine breathes the toasted character stands out to evolve in the end towards iodine and oyster shells.
1955 Dom Pérignon
(tasted in 2009, no dosage)
1955 was the archetype of the classical vintage that defines harmony in Champagne—maybe the greatest of the decade. Very energetic and racy, remarkably thorough, this wine is at the same time intense and profound. These qualities express the typical, intriguing paradox of youth versus maturity, combining to create a feeling of completeness. Right in the center, the fruit (sultana) is still very vibrant, with notes of vanilla, smoke and praline (sugar-coated almond).
1959 Dom Pérignon OEnothèque
(tasted in 2010, disgorged in 1999, one of the five vintages selected in 2000 for the launch of Dom Pérignon OEnothèque with 1964, 1973, 1980 and 1985)
1959 was an atypical vintage with exceptional ripeness (comparable to 1893 or 1947). I feel this wine managed to accomodate the excesses of the vintage, sublimating it with a very personal interpretation. This wine displays restrained power and opulence, avoiding the pitfalls of oxydation or inordinate heaviness. Remarkably persistent and complex, it exhibits a captivating bouquet of earthy notes: black and white truffle, peat and chocolate with hints of dried fig and even red fruit (!)
Richard. Well done on the blog. It looks great and we look forward to reading more about our favourite DP! It’s such a shame that these amazing library vintages are not available in India. Fingers crossed for the future!
Harshal
Thanks for the presenting background info on the fifties DP Richard – much appreciated and I’ll be sure to include your tasting comments in my champagne book. Would it be possible to submit a short chef de caves profile questionnaire to you via email? Merci d’avance Champagne Jayne