Dom Pérignon : Duo Vintage 2017 & 2018

An exceptional gift box bringing together, for the first time, two great Dom Pérignon vintages

The estate

The House of Dom Pérignon takes its name from the famous monk and procurator of the Abbey of Hautvillers in 1668, Pierre Pérignon, known as Dom Pérignon. According to legend, Pierre Pérignon discovered what is known today as the Champagne method. As an anecdote, in 1669 he taught this method to the Benedictine Thierry Ruinart, who thus enabled Ruinart to become, historically, the first House of Champagne in 1729. Since 1 January 2019, Vincent Chaperon has succeeded Richard Geoffroy as Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon.

An unprecedented gift box

This Duo gift box brings together two distinct, consecutive vintages from this iconic House of Champagne: the Vintage 2017, the last vintage entirely crafted by Richard Geoffroy after twenty-eight years at the helm of the cellars, and the Vintage 2018, the first vintage fully shaped by his successor Vincent Chaperon.

The 2017 vintage unfolded in three contrasting phases: a mild start to the year, followed by spring frosts that reduced yields, then a hot, dry period that encouraged early ripening. Rain in late August called for rigorous selection at harvest, revealing Chardonnays of exceptional ripeness and Pinot Noirs that perfectly combine ripeness and freshness. This cuvée expresses a beautiful duality, between tension and richness, bitterness and sweetness. On the nose, notes of petrichor and jasmine; on the palate, a complexity blending candied peel with vegetal and fruity touches, at once sweet and grainy.

The 2018 vintage stands out as an exceptional year, driven by record sunshine (+25% in spring) and summer heat surpassing the records of 2003. Ideal water management, between spring rains and progressive summer drought, allowed record ripeness to be reached, for both the Chardonnays and the Pinot Noirs. With the harvest beginning around 20 August, the earliest ever recorded, the sanitary quality of the grapes proved exceptional despite generous yields. The result is a full-bodied, velvety Champagne with aromas of tropical fruits (mango, kiwi), a beautiful tension between sweetness and bitterness, and a delicate finish of apricot.