Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 17
Spring and summer were generally cool and overcast but the year was rescued by a beautiful September, but was it enough? Harvest began on 15 September. Red wines came from Champs de Linotte in Hautvillers (close to the seat of Dom P) and Vauzelles in Aÿ. First bottle: Pale to mid salmon pink (much deeper than a typical Provence rosé). There’s some note that’s mineral or iodine or oyster shell on the nose of this. Then we segue into something floral – rose petals? even candied rose petals. This doesn’t have quite the substance and undertow of the 2012 and 2003 P2 reviewed alongside. Perhaps it will develop it, but this bottle seems a bit simple. I will open a back-up sample to check it out and ensure this is not a cork effect. There doesn’t seem to be any TCA on the nose but there is a slight shortage of fruit and no great follow-through on the palate. Second bottle: This bottle has more fruit on the palate but it still doesn’t have real zest and tension. And it rather falls away on the finish. Mind you 2008 was a very grey, cloudy year.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2027
Vinous 97
The 2008 Dom Pérignon Rosé is magnificent. Rich and deep in the glass, the 2008 offers up an exotic mélange of aromas and flavors. Sweet red cherry, mint, orange peel and rose petal all grace this beguiling beauty. Bright acids and a little less still red Pinot (21%) than in most recent editions yields a Rosé that is delicate and light on its feet, with less of the vinous intensity that marked vintages such as 2006. There is a classic feeling of austerity in the 2018 that is mesmerizing.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2048
