2000 Dom Perignon P2

Slate, crushed rocks, apricot jam, mint, honeysuckle and mint are some of the notes that run through the 2000 Dom Pérignon P2. Open-knit, racy and seductive, the 2000 is a rare P2 that will drink well right out of the gate. The reductive character from long aging on the lees that is such a P2 signature adds nuance without overpowering the wine. There is wonderful breadth and amplitude here. In sum, the 2000 presents a striking interplay of the maturity that develops over extended time on lees and freshness. The creamy, seamless finish only adds to the wine’s considerable immediacy and sheer appeal. Baked apple, toast, brioche, pear, smoke, slate and lemon confit add nuances throughout. What a gorgeous wine this is.

A beautiful nose of baked peach, lime blossom and graphite draws you into the glass of this stunning 2000, whose flavours of brioche, salted almond and spun honey are wrapped around sleek, mouth-watering acidity and a streak of smoke-tinged mineral. Hard to stop sipping this deftly meshed Champagne.

A Champagne that has turned to a very fine texture with dried pineapple and lemon character. Medium to full body, complex and flavorful palate. Shows length and beauty. Pie crust, cooked apple and lemon rind continue on the finish. A truly great 2000 with a combination of finesse and strength. It’s very, very minerally to a point of sea salt. It was disgorged in first half of 2016. Drink or hold. Jul 2017, www.jamessuckling.com