Champagne Moët & Chandon Dom Perignon Brut 2002

Many people believe that Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon created the first-ever Champagne wine, though this isn’t quite true. However, it is accurate that he remains a righteous historical figure in the famous drink’s rise to eternal popularity, and as mega-fans of exceptional Champagne, we are perpetually tipping our hats to him. As the first to blend different base wines for complexity and harmony, he also initiated the use of cork tree closures on bottles, as well as optimized the method to bottle up bubbly and keep it, well, bubbly. While the first vintage of Dom Pérignon wasn’t released until 1921, 200-plus years after his death, he’s still credited as being a trailblazer in winemaking during his time, and we are forever indebted to his successes.

2002 started warm and dry in the spring, with unexpected rainy spells toward the end of the growing season. Because the vines had been slightly dehydrated, the precipitous August and September allowed the grapes to reach new levels of ripeness, resulting in a boisterous crop of well-balanced, flavor-packed grapes. Strong depth, concentration, and freshness are the hallmarks of the best 2002 Champagnes – something that resoundingly rings true in this legend-making bottling. This year is a benchmark vintage for those who appreciate excellent Champagne, expected to cellar and age gracefully well into future years.

Open it up to a titillating (and still resoundingly fresh) perfume of lemon, baked apples, nectarines, and jasmine, with the after-notes of buttery, oven-fresh biscuits, wet stones, and white pepper. Melting with charm and elegance, as one might expect, the palate continues the ride of ripe fruits – melons, mandarins, apricots, and a drip of grapefruit – and then teasing out a lengthy finish of fresh herbs, toasted brioche, candied ginger, some chalky gravel, and a light touch of that signature Dom Pérignon smokiness. The complexities are wildly scrumptious, though its striking opulence will leave you ravenous for another glass. It’s clear, they’re the best of the best for good reason – at 98 points and 33% off, it’s foolish to not make this yours and try some for yourself!