Winemaker Note

On the nose, this wine opens with notes of red-fleshed peaches, rapidly evolving into cashew nuts and dried herbs. The aromatic experience finishes on a note of lightly toasted brioche. On the palate, it offers a host of well-orchestrated, precise and full-bodied tastes. The initial density becomes creamy, while the long finish ends on a note of glazed citrus fruit. The unique Dom Perignon style: a rich creamy mousse, fine bubbles, a spirited, crisp opening leading into a broad palette of aromas and tastes, the delicacy of substance itself. Each Cuvee Dom Perignon is cellar-aged for 6 to 8 years.

To taste Dom Perignon is to discover the unique spirit and style of a truly great wine of Champagne. Every stage of vineyard selection, winemaking and slow cellar aging is, in itself, a quest for perfection.

98 Wine Advocate

I have had a lot of great vintages of Dom Perignon, but I do not remember any as impressive as the 1996. Even richer than the brilliant 1990, the 1996 is still tightly wound, but reveals tremendous aromatic intensity, offering hints of bread dough, Wheat Thins, tropical fruits, and roasted hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, with crisp acidity buttressing the wines wealth of fruit and intensity, it comes across as extraordinarly zesty, well-delineated, and incredibly long on the palate. Moet-Chandon deserves considerable accolades for this prodigious example of Dom Perignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+.

97 Jasper Morris

The much-hyped 1996 vintage has proven less consistent than the original hype suggested. Pinot Noir didn't have enough phenolic and aromatic ripeness (many were too excited by the 10g/l malic acidity and 10 degrees potential ABV combination to notice). A great vintage for Blanc de Blancs then, yet the winemaking team delivered a thrilling edition of this wine for 1996. A higher dosage and that lovely acidity gave birth to a rich, complex champagne with lovely freshness and fruit. The lime blossom and lemony toast of youth are beginning to fade a little as the wine strides into its final drinking window. Supremely balanced, with elegant aromas of coffee, toast with a peppering of walnut. Mouthwatering fruit and long angular finish.

96 Wine Enthusiast

This minerally. toasty wine has flavors of almonds and white stone fruits, and a long, finish. It is still young, and is just coming into great balance. Elegant and ethereal.

93 Wine Spectator

This features floral, candied citrus, pencil shaving and hazelnut aromas and flavors. It's fresh and focused, with a firm structure offset by a mouthfilling richness and a lacy texture. Not a blockbuster, but seamless and seductive in its approach.