Dom Pérignon, Brut, Oenothèque, 1996

Tasting Note:

About the 96 Oenotheque, from Chef de Cave Richard Geoffrey. "(an) ‘intriguing combination of flavours from a super ripe year, and acidity from a not so ripe year all in one. All 1996s are known for their high acidity, this is marginally on the high side, but not extreme. This is as challenging to Dom Perignon as it can be but it’s packed with serious flavours - sombre characteristics, starting with the minerality, then toast and smoke then iodine - almost a sea breeze. All vintages of DP will be of the standard of Oenotheque at some stage,’ This is the one salient quality of DP. They may not be released in chronological order, but they will all be part of the Oenotheque at some stage in their life cycle. Dom Perignon is never released unless it has the potential for ageing to Oenotheque’