1988 Dom Perignon Cuvee Champagne

Tasting notes sourced from Moet & Chandon.

Cuvee Dom Perignon demonstrates a perfect combination of elegance and finesse found only in the most outstanding Champagnes. It is only made in exceptional years from the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in the top vineyard locations of the Champagne region.For Chardonnay certain parcels of land are selected such as Le Mont Aigu at Chouilly, Les Buissons at Cramant or Les Moulins and Les Joyettes at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The perfect location of these vineyards ensures the optimum ripening of the grapes and the optimum ripening of the grapes and the finished wine demonstrates great elegance and delicacy. The Pinot Noir is sourced principally from the "grand cru" vineyards of Ay, Bouzy and Verzenay blended together with selected fruit from the older vines which surround the Abbey of Hauvillers.The winemaking team at Moet & Chandon work to find that subtle balance between the floral or fruity characteristics of Chardonnay and the structure contributed by Pinot Noir. Once blended, Cuvee Dom Perignon is given a long period of ageing in the chalk cellars at Moet & Chandon. As the wine matures, it acquires the complexity, roundness and finesse for which it is renowned.A warm summer helped ensure that the 1988 vintage produced wines of great structure and balance. After a mild and wet winter budding took place under very normal and non-spectacular conditions. Flowering occurred under perfect conditions but produced only a limited number of bunches. Fortunately the heavy July showers helped the grapes to swell and this was followed by a sunny August which allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly. At harvest the grapes showed a lovely balance of fresh acidity and structure. This cuvee contains 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir.After 7 years of maturation Cuvee Dom Perignon 1988 can be enjoyed now although the wine will benefit from a little more ageing.