Moét et Chandon Cuveé Dom Perignon 1983 with sealed OC

The Dom Pérignon Brut 1983champagne from Moët & Chandon is a cuvée from a very good but often overlooked vintage, which stands between the opulent richness of the legendary 1982 and the classic structures of later years. It shows remarkable maturity and elegance and is appreciated by connoisseurs as an excellent, ready-to-drink champagne.

Historical background and the 1983 vintage

The 1983 vintage was a character year for Champagne. In contrast to the warm and sunny summer of the previous year, 1983 saw a much colder and wetter spring.

• A challenging start: A cold winter and a cool, wet spring led to a significant delay in budding and flowering.

• Luck in summer: Once summer arrived, however, the conditions were warm and sunny and ideal for growth.

• Optimal harvest: A few days of rain shortly before the start of the harvest on 26 September did not affect the excellent quality of the grapes.

The vintage is considered to be one of the ripest of the decade and is now at its peak.

Vinification and cuvée composition

• Typical cuvée: As with most Dom Pérignon vintages, the blend is based on a balanced mix of the two main Champagne grape varieties. The exact composition of the 1983 vintage is not made public by the house, but for a later vintage a ratio of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir is given, which is a fairly typical distribution.

• Style: The 1983 was given a slightly higher dosage than the legendary 1982, resulting in a softer and sweeter impression. The style is described as softer and rounder.

Tasting notes

Dom Pérignon 1983 is a Champagne that has reached full maturity and shows impressive complexity.

Appearance and nose:

• Colour: Presents itself in a golden colour with an amazing greenish shimmer. The nose is complex and elegant.

• Aromas: Intense notes of roasted hazelnuts, brioche and honey dominate . These are joined by ripe fruit flavours of baked pear and candied orange as well as fine, biscuity notes.Some tasters also perceive more exotic, almost "baroque" hints of dried porcini mushrooms, grated dark chocolate and caramel.

On the palate:

• Texture: The attack is remarkably clear, pure to straightforward. It is medium-bodied, with a velvety and creamy texture.

• Flavour: The fruit is ripe and juicy, reminiscent of a sweet peach. The lively, fine acidity ensures impressive freshness and vibrancy.

• Finish: The finish is long and complex with a fine spiciness of cardamom, white pepper and a lingering hint of smoke.

Ratings and drinking window

The Dom Pérignon 1983 is consistently rated very favourably by critics and collectors. It has reached its maturity plateau, but can certainly continue to mature in the glass.

Drinking window: This champagne is now at its peak and should be drunk until around 2030. It is ready to be savoured and will not improve significantly. The champagne is served at a temperature of 8°C.

Market prices and availability

Dom Pérignon 1983 is a rare collector's Champagne, the price of which depends heavily on condition, provenance and bottle format.

Tip for collectors: The market price can vary greatly. For example, bottles have been seen on Idealwine for 290-330€ in auctions, while Wine-Searcher lists the average price (excl. VAT) for standard bottles at 528 USD and for magnums at 700-800 USD.

For a one-off occasion, the champagne is available atJahrhundertweine.de for 495€ (incl. VAT).

Plénitude (P3) bottling 1983

Dom Pérignon follows the concept of three "Plénitudes" (P1, P2, P3), which represent different stages of maturity. A Plénitude 3 (P3) bottlingwas releasedfor the 1983 vintage.

• The third plénitude (P3): This represents the longest ageing phase, after around 20-30 years on the lees, and shows the maximum complexity and intensity that this wine can achieve.

• Characteristics: Dom Pérignon's official tasting note describes a classic, mature and precise character with dominant notes of toast and hazelnut that develop into nuances of brioche, honey and spices.

• Price: This rarity is extremely expensive. A standard bottle of P3 1983 can costover USD 6,000, while a magnum bottle was listed at Saratoga Wine for USD 8,769.35.

Matching food

Thanks to its maturity, creaminess and complex flavours, this champagne is an excellent accompaniment to delicate and refined dishes.

• Seafood: Perfect with oysters, lobster carpaccio, scallop carpaccio or caviar.

• Poultry & dishes: Goes perfectly with champagne-style chicken (coq à la champenoise) or a creamy saffron risotto.

• Cheese: A delicate cheese such as Brillat-Savarin harmonises perfectly with the complex flavours.

Conclusion

Dom Pérignon 1983is a wonderfully mature champagne that represents a lesser-known but high-quality vintage. It impresses with its creamy texture, complex flavours of ripe fruit, sweet spices and yet a noticeable freshness. It offers excellent value for money compared to its legendary predecessor, the 1982, and is an excellent choice for collectors and enthusiasts looking for an elegant champagne that is ready to drink. Due to its age, the 1983 is a special experience for connoisseurs who appreciate the maturity and complexity of a great champagne.