How 15 years transformed Champagne.

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2

Champagne house Dom Pérignon is releasing "Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2" from January 2025. This wine was born from grapes harvested in 2006 and has been aged for over 15 years.

Text by Kosaku Waseda

Innovation and Depth Born from the Power of Time

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2 marks a significant turning point in its maturation process. After reaching its first "Plénitude," this wine continued to age for an additional seven years, arriving at its second stage of maturation, "Plénitude 2."

The remarkable aspect is that after 15 years, the energy of its maturation has finally peaked, adding further depth and complexity to the wine's flavor. Fermentation and aging in the bottle have resulted in an unprecedentedly powerful and elegant taste.

The grapes used were harvested in 2006. This year was marked by very distinctive weather conditions in the Champagne region. While spring and summer were relatively mild, August was unusually cool and rainy. However, September brought warm, summer-like weather again. This period's climate positively influenced grape maturation, ultimately enabling a high-quality harvest.

According to Dom Pérignon's tasting notes, the 2006 vintage was exceptionally sensual from the outset, characterized by a rich and mellow texture. Specifically, after a long period of aging suitable for the grape harvest, its flavor became more refined and deepened.

The term "Plénitude" represents Dom Pérignon's crucial concept of dividing a wine's maturation into two distinct phases. The first "Plénitude" is when the wine has fully developed and stabilized in the bottle for the first time, followed by "Plénitude 2." This stage is when the wine achieves greater complexity and a longer finish, with the 2006 vintage being a prime example.

The 2006 vintage required a particularly long harvest period, resulting in grapes with exceptional density and rich flavor. This led to a result where, after surpassing the initial "Plénitude" stage, an additional seven years of aging further enhanced its depth and complexity.

The allure of "Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2" is concentrated in its aroma and taste. The wine's bouquet is highly expressive, with a warm, sweet aroma unfolding. It evolves from mineral and floral notes to complex scents of peach, citron, calisson, and mocha. As time passes, its aroma gains even more depth, captivating the drinker.

In taste, the rich aromas expand, the palate is soft, and it becomes more defined as complexity increases. Notably, notes of salinity, dried fruit, cacao, and toasted hazelnut intertwine, leaving a long finish of remarkable maturity and pleasant bitterness.

With grapes of divine quality and the Maison's discerning eye, "Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2," aged for 15 years, is crafted into a bottle that allows one to fully appreciate the rich flavors and allure of Champagne.