Dom Pérignon : Vintage 2013

Silky, narrowly sculpted and serene, Dom Pérignon 2013 is a less hedonistic release than the 2012 (and less intensely energetic than the 2008), but showcases a beautiful mid-place between tension and expressiveness already. Orange-coloured fruit – apricots, mango and orange – play along with snappy lemon syrup and delicate red fruits, the palate teased into considerable detail and length with some trademark Dom Pérignon smokiness. There is immediate pleasure here, although cellaring will let some of the inner complexity unfurl, revealing this to the among the finest Dom Pérignon releases of recent times. 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay.

The 2013 Dom Pérignon is pretty closed right now. Deep and layered, the 2013 shows quite a bit of density today. It's a typical wine for this vintage, a year marked by a warm summer but a late harvest because the growing season got off to a late start. The 2013 is finally starting to open a bit and show some textural breadth, but it remains on the reticent side.

A vintage that reads clearly from the very first aromas without feeling locked down, fitting a fresh profile with orchard fruit, flinty notes and a toasty reduction. A fresh style that has evolved slowly. On the palate, the wine is linear, with restrained mid-palate weight yet no austerity. It will continue to develop slowly on this balance; its fine acidic and mineral backbone gives it excellent length.