1966 Dom Perignon (1995 Disgorged)
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Tasting notes
This perfectly conserved bottle of the 1966 Dom Pérignon showed some wispy carbon dioxide on opening, which is always a positive sign, and revealed a rich and tertiary bouquet of dried fruits, mocha, toasted nuts and saffron. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with considerable muscle and concentration, a vestigial mousse and a bright spine of structuring acidity. Though this original disgorgement is tiring, there's still no fraying on the finish. While in 750-milliliter bottles, the 1966 Dom Pérignon seems to be in gentle decline, at least based on the last few bottles I have encountered, magnums—or anything stored in a glacial cellar—might still be very interesting indeed.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1966 Dom Pérignon (Original Release) is absolutely gorgeous. Soft, open-knit and sensual, the 1966 is utterly sublime, with plenty of the orange peel, coffee, hazelnut, chamomile and dried flower nuances that are typical of mature Dom Pérignon, especially during this era. Gently mellowed by the passage of time, the 1996 is now at peak.
Definitely fully mature champagne. Amber colour with a rather low-key nose initially. But it opened out to something attractive and lightly sherrified that really speaks to the jamón ibérico we were served at this dinner at Taillevent organised by François Audouze – his 170th wine dinner. Very deep and rich yet dry. Real lift to this wine but it also has a deep, throat- warming finish. There's a note of cheddar on the nose. Very clean and revitalising. Rich and dense. (JR)
The 1966 Dom Pérignon (original release) is now fully mature, but it is dazzling. Clean veins of minerality introduce an element of freshness to the notes of smoke, caramel and hazelnuts that develop in the glass. In most vintages I am a huge fan of the original release of DP. This bottle of the 1996 is stellar.
About the producer
Dom Pérignon is one of the most highly regarded and well-known Champagnes in the world. The first and original prestige cuvée Champagne, it is today owned by LVMH.