Superbly euphoric nose, as languorous and silky as a guitar solo by Carlos Santana. As usual, Richard Geoffroy—like his predecessor—has succeeded in creating a wine that has seductive suppleness, complexity, and concentration in one and the same wine. In that sense, Dom Pérignon has a greatness that no other wines can really match, excepting La Tâche in Burgundy. Besides wonderful structure there are layers of red and exotic fruit, with blood orange as the guiding star. All these fruits are sensitively braided together with all the classically toasted fireworks. I noticed with interest—when this wine was served blind—that it wasn't at all popular with the novices: they couldn't see past the stables and outhouse in the nose. How differently people can perceive things!

Pale orange-bronze color. Pinot-like aromas of blood orange, game, smoke and earth, along with hints of orange marmalade and peach; the nose of this wine always reminds me of Nuits-Saint-Georges or Vosne-Romanee. Very intensely flavored, ripe and tactile, but without an ounce of excess weight. Compelling flavors of wild red fruits, spices and earth; very Cote de Nuits. Wonderful framing acidity. Finishes with superb spicy persistence.