Dom Perignon P2 2008

This late-release version of the magnificent 2008 is to be put on the market commercially in 2026. Disgorged in 2024 with a dosage of less than 5 g/l – like all four of these 2026 releases. A famous 'classic' vintage. The product of a season that saw cloudy weather for much of it with considerable mildew pressure. Then there was a great September that saved the vintage – a Champagne miracle. A sunny last three weeks changed the mood in Champagne. 'Climate change has been giving more flesh and length to the wines', according to Vincent Chaperon who said that he and the then chef de cave Richard Geoffroy used to liken this wine's muscle to the athlete Usain Bolt. Greenish hue. Very concentrated and evolved, lightly smoky and creates an immediate impression. Dry, serious finish. Extremely tight bead. Very bright fruit. Citrus, even lime. A wine that is tightening up, a bit like a drawstring with tension – like when a bow is drawn back by an arrow. A very grown-up Dom Pérignon. (JR)

• Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
• Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson

The extra seven years of ageing on lees under cork versus the original Dom Pérignon 2008 release has wrapped up all the year's innate tension and brightness in an unabashedly decadent, enveloping richnnes of toasted nuts, fresh dough and gentle oyster cream, although the precision and integrity of the vintage is absolutely present, too. There are beautiful aromas of pure red strawberry and bergamot with some darker mocha notes emerging, both Chardonnay linearity and a surprisingly fragrant Pinot finding a perfect equilibrium. The palate carries the buzzing acidity of 2008 on a time-softened, ultra-silky mousse, with new details of umami savour tucked in subtly to the overall impression of glacial freshness. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the reputation of the original release, this is among the most memorable and energetic of the Plénitude releases made since the programme of late releases took the name in 2014.

• Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
• Reviewer Name: Tom Hewson

The 2008 Dom Pérignon P2 is another sublime Champagne from Dom Pérignon. Long lees-aging on the cork softened the edges that the original 2008 release showed as a young Champagne. The two 2008s (original release and P2) paint two very different but equally compelling potraits of the vintage. The P2 possesses notable textural density and a level of mid-palate intensity that the 2008 does not offer. The P2 is not necessarily better than the original release, but it is quite contrasting in style. It may be that in a very high-quality vintage, extended time in bottle does not add as much as it does in slightly lesser years.

• Drinking Window: 2026 - 2048
• Reviewer Name: Antonio Galloni