The Apogee of Effervescence

Aged for nearly two decades, Dom Perignon P2 boasts of intensity, vibrance, and a magnificent energy, writes

any oenophiles are of the opinion that few things are better than a wine that has aged beautifully, its character and flavour transformed into something more sumptuous, even sublime. We at Philippine Tatler recently sampled such a wine for ourselves thanks to an invitation to visit the Dom Perignon estates in France that was cordially extended by Moet Hennessy’s Olga Azarcon and her team.

For the oenologists and vintners at Dom Perignon, one of the most recognised names in Champagne, time is a key driver when it comes to creating a great wine. It is the catalyst behind an active maturation process that gives great Champagne its characteristic effervescence. By allowing the wine to age a little longer, the various elements incorporated during the blending process undergo a transformation, resulting in a wine that is intense and vibrant, with an unusual crispness and vigour that comes as a delightful revelation to those drinking it.

Such is the case of the P2, the Plénitude Deuxieme or second Plénitude of Dom Perignon’s Vintage 2000. It is a wine that has been tempered by time to become bold and dynamic; deliciously complex and forward with regard to both nose and palate.

“The energy of the second Plénitude magnifies the most outstanding features of the wine,” declares Dom Perignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy. “[The] P2 2000 has all the boldness of a coherence that is clearly defined yet elusive at the same time.”

To understand the appeal of the P2, one must first take a closer look at the Vintage 2000 and the 2000 Brut which was first disgorged in 2008 and is now considered one of Dom Perignon’s classic vintages. The grapes for the 2000—a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay —were harvested at a time when there were challenging contrasts between the warm and cold seasons. Summer in France that year was