Dom Pérignon Brut 2013

Vivid acidity and a chalky underpinning make a crystalline frame for finely detailed notes of ripe melon, mandarin orange, toasted brioche and candied ginger in this harmonious Champagne, which is expressive and expansive on the palate, but with a sense of finesse and restraint. Long and creamy on the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2037.

The 2013 Dom Perignon is pretty closed right now. Deep and layered, the 2013 shows quite a bit of density today. It's a typical wine for this vintage, a year marked by a warm summer but a late harvest because the growing season got off to a late start. The 2013 is finally starting to open a bit and show some textural breadth, but it remains on the reticent side.

A bright sliver/straw color, the 2013 Dom Perignon is spritely and compact, with a pretty, if not a little reserved, aromatic profile on opening, with notes of powdery white flowers, smoky wet stone, preserved citrus, and pastry dough. Medium to full-bodied, with a peppery mousse, it has a refreshing and bright acidity that brings a pleasing tension to its otherwise more generous, juicy palate. It deserves time in cellar to open up a bit over the coming two decades.

Disgorged in October 2022, the 2013 Dom Pérignon is a charming and elegant vintage for this cuvée. It reveals complex aromas of buttery pastry, spices, citrus oil, almonds, honey and, with aeration, a touch of smoke. The palate is medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, with a chiseled and tightly wound profile. The long, cool growing season has brought freshness and a delicate earthy note to the finish.