Dom Pérignon Brut 2015

The 2012 Dom Pérignon has turned out very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with notes of Anjou pear, smoke, toasted nuts, freshly baked bread and crisp stone fruit. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's still tightly wound, its incipiently fleshy core of fruit framed by racy acids and chalky grip, complemented by a classy pinpoint mousse. A touch drier and a touch less reductive than the 2008 out of the gates, these two vintages are clearly destined to be compared for some time to come; but at this early stage, my instinct is that the 2012 will have the edge in the long term.

The 2015 Dom Pérignon is terrific. Bright and poised, the 2015 shows terrific energy. Citrus peel, white flowers, mint, white pepper and slate all race across the palate. There's gorgeous tension and backbone here, with bright saline notes that extend the mid-palate and finish. This is a fine showing in a vintage that has proven to be tricky. I am intrigued to see how the 2015 develops in the coming years.

There's a well-spiced, zesty edge to the flavors of glazed apple, mandarin orange peel, pink grapefruit pith and creme de cassis as they ride the finely detailed mousse of this fresh, focused Champagne. This vivid display is enriched by notes of canele pastry, chopped almond, pastry cream, smoke and vanilla, all coming to the forefront through the midpalate and chiming on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035.

The 2015 Dom Perignon pours a bright straw/yellow color and is expressive and layered on the nose with a tropical profile in its notes of cantaloupe, peach, fresh pastry, smokey wet stones, and orange blossoms. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a rounded and ripe but very well-detailed feel, with a soft, chalky texture. This was a very successful vintage for Dom Perignon, producing wines that retain a great deal of clarity and detail in this warm vintage. Drink over the coming 20 years.