Dom Pérignon P2 1998 - Champagne

Champagne Dom Pérignon Second Fullness (P2) 1998 - Champagne

The Plénitude cuvées (previously named Œnothèque) have been in development for years at Dom Pérignon. After studying the natural course of aging that vintage Champagne seems to undertake, the winemaking team found that, rather than improving steadily and linearly (as is the case with many wines), it develops and matures through three defined stages of its life.

The first version (P1) arrives about 8 years after harvest and is the style that most consumers are familiar with. The second stage (P2) lasts about 15 years, during which time the cuvée takes a deep leap to a new level of quality where it will plateau for many years in terms of improvement. Finally, the third Plénitude (P3) will see the champagne age another 20-30 years until it reaches its ultimate peak. Initially, these mature vintages were available in a limited edition called "Œnothèque" but were rebranded in 2014 as "Plénitude"

The 1998 vintage was marked by extremes: few grapes, a spectacularly hot month of August and gray and rainy weather during the first half of September. Dom Pérignon refrained from harvesting and was able to take advantage of the miraculous period of good weather that followed. A decision which turned out to be decisive for the production of the vintage. The 1998 vintage was first released in its Dom Pérignon (P1) version in 2005. The second version, Plénitude 2, was then launched in 2015 after ten more years of ageing.

This vintage is one of the most sought after by collectors as its aging potential is exceptional.