Dom Perignon Luminous 2009 (1.5L)

97 JS / 96 WS / 96 DE / 94+ AG / 93+ WA / 18+ JR

This is a DP that shows the ripeness of the 2009 vintage yet remains full of energy. Gorgeous aromas of cream, apple, mango, honeysuckle, and chalk follow through to a full body and super fine, tight texture. Dense and agile. Vinous. It’s like a top grand cru white Burgundy. Think Bâtard-Montrachet. More depth than the 2006. Drink now. - James Suckling

There's a subtle power to this graceful Champagne, which boasts a firm, crystalline frame of acidity married to the fine, satinlike mousse and notes of white raspberry, brioche and Earl Grey tea. Seamless through to the long finish of smoke and spice accents, this opens beautifully in the glass. Drink now through 2029. - Alison Napjus

Unbroken sun through August and early September helped to shape an idyllic harvest, on 12th September. Superb maturity of fruit in flawless health has produced a wine with wafting scents of both fresh and confit of spiced lemon and wild cherry. Despite the heat, the wine has freshness, vitality and length. Still a youngster, this will grow greatly by 2019. A more stylish son of the '03, and cousin of the slender and charming '06. Disgorged June 2016. - Decanter

The 2009 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous, totally seductive Champagne that will drink well right out of the gate. Medium in body and unusually open-knit at this stage, the 2009 is one of the most accessible young Dom Pérignons I can remember tasting. It is an excellent choice to drink while waiting for the release of the stellar 2008 and some recent vintages that remain very young, including the 2006. Despite the warm, ripe personality of the 2009 Dom Pérignon is quite gracious, but there is plenty of depth underpinning the fruit. With each successive tasting, the 2009 seems to have gained more power and breadth, especially on the finish. Above all else, the 2009 is decidedly restrained for a warm, radiant vintage. It is not as overtly flamboyant as the 2002 nor as phenolically intense as years like 2003 and 2006. Instead, the 2009 is a beautifully balanced Champagne, with all of its elements in the right place. Tasted three times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2009 Dom Pérignon is already drinking well, exhibiting expressive aromas of ripe apple, peach, Meyer lemon, marzipan and dried white flowers that are framed by the classic nutty, autolytic notes that so often define this cuvée. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a broad attack, a brisk and refined mousse, appreciable dry extract and a notably saline finish. While this is a comparatively ample, gourmand vintage of Dom Pérignon, there's sufficient concentration and structural tension—which has become more apparent with a bit of bottle age—to suggest that this may be surprisingly long lived. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Just being released. Very pale, very youthful nose. Lots of zest and freshness. Introvert and tight. But approachable in terms of texture. The flavour is not fully formed yet but it’s already a pleasure to drink from the point of view of balance, presumably thanks to the relatively low acidity. Light hint of bitterness on the end. Length. Palate-enrobing! Lovely texture. - Jancis Robinson