Moét et Chandon Cuveé Dom Perignon 1955

Moët & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1955

A legendary vintage from a golden era of Champagne

Dom Pérignon 1955is more than just a champagne; it is an icon, a testimony to an exceptional vintage and a coveted collector's item of the highest prestige. Here are the key aspects:

1. The 1955 vintage: a vintage of the century

   • The 1955 vintage is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century in Champagne, comparable to 1928, 1945 or 1961.

   • Ideal weather conditions: A warm, sunny summer with sufficient rain led to fully ripe, healthy grapes with a perfect acid structure.

   • The harvest was abundant and of outstanding quality.

2. Dom Pérignon: The Prestige Cuvée

   • Named after the famous 17th century monk Pierre Pérignon, Dom Pérignon is considered the first and one of the most famous prestige cuvées in the world.

   • It is produced exclusively in the very best vintages (vintage), never as non-vintage.

   • Composition: Classically around 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, from Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne.

   • Characteristics: Deep complexity, great ageing potential and an unmistakable, powerful yet elegant style.

3. Character of Dom Pérignon 1955 (based on historical tasting notes, _##########_0__. by Michael Broadbent MW):

   • Colour: Developed, deep golden colour with amber reflections (typical of great maturity).

   • Nose: Exceptionally complex and intense. Aromas of ripe stone fruit (apricot, peach), dried fruit (figs, dates), honey, caramel, nuts (walnut, hazelnut), light sherry-like (Madeira) notes, underpinned by mineral and spicy nuances (ginger, saffron) as well as a subtle peat/smoke note. The famous "mature bouquet".

   • Palate:Full-bodied, rich and powerful, yet surprisingly fresh and lively for its age. The acidity is well integrated but still noticeable and gives the wine support. The texture is silky and creamy. Long, multi-layered finish with lingering flavours of honey, nuts and minerality.

   • Maturity & development:The wine reached its drinking maturity after decades of bottle ageing. Famous tastings in the 1980s and 1990s often showed it at the height of its splendour. It perfectly embodied the concept of the "second flowering"(second plénitude or P2 at Dom Pérignon) - a phase of deep complexity after long maturation.

4. Current status & significance:

   • Absolute rarity:bottles of DP 1955 are extremely rare and are traded almost exclusively at prestigious wine auctions (such as Acker Merrall & Condit, Sotheby's, Christie's).

   • Very high value: Due to its legendary status and rarity, it regularly fetches four-figure euro sums per bottle at auction, depending on its condition and provenance.

   • Risks of age: With over 65 years in the bottle, the condition of each individual bottle is critical. Risks are:

     • Cork defects: evaporation (ullage), cork flavour.

     • Oxidation: Can destroy freshness and fruit.

     • Reduction: Overly closed or off-toned flavours (rarer with such long maturation).

   • Collector's item & historical artefact:Even if a bottle is no longer in optimum drinking condition, it remains a coveted collector's item and a piece of champagne history.

5. Conclusion:
   The Moët & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1955 is a Champagne legend, representing one of the greatest vintages of the century in its purest and longest-lived form. Its status as an almost mythical collector's item is undisputed. Tasting an intact bottle of the finest provenance would be an extraordinary and probably unique experience for any wine lover, demonstrating the timeless grandeur and complexity of a perfectly matured top champagne. Its value reflects not only its enjoyment, but also its historical significance and extreme rarity.

Important note:For a bottle of this age, a professional assessment of the condition (ageing, cork, colour) is essential before a possible purchase or tasting. The experience can vary greatly from bottle to bottle.