Moët & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1992

The 1992 Dom Pérignon is a remarkable champagne, produced despite a challenging year and characterised by remarkable longevity. This report is divided into a vintage report, tasting notes and ratings, ageing and drinking window, and market prices.

📜 1992 Vintage Report

The 1992 vintage in Champagne was characterised by difficult conditions before the weather took a turn for the better. After three consecutive years of late frosts, the vines were finally able to begin budding under mild conditions. The summer was hot, though punctuated by occasional hailstorms. The harvest began early, on 14 September, and the wines displayed good balance. Overall, the 1992 vintage is regarded as one of Champagne’s finest and is highly prized by connoisseurs.

🍾 Tasting notes and ratings

The tasting notes for the Dom Pérignon 1992 describe a multi-layered and elegant champagne.

• Nose: The bouquet is complex and develops over time in the glass. It reveals notes of citrus fruits such as candied grapefruit peel, lemon and lime, accompanied by mineral and ginger-like accents. There are also hints of toasted bread (brioche), hazelnut, walnut and a touch of flint. A slight musky note suggests yeast autolysis. The Oenothèque version also displays aromas of fresh yeast and hawthorn.

• Palate: On the palate, the champagne is rich and creamy with a lively, supportive acidity. The texture is silky yet intense and firm. Aromas of ripe yellow fruits, delicate pastries and dried fruit are supported by a precise structure. The finish is long and lingering, with notes of candied lemon and an elegant, smoky hint of vanilla.

Professional reviews of the 1992 vintage are positive, although they do not consistently achieve top marks. Wine Spectator awarded 89 points, whilst Tastingbook awarded 92 points and Gismondi on Wine awarded 95 points (tasting July 2023). A 2004 tasting by Falstaff concluded that the wine had reached its peak and would no longer become ‘a true classic’, a view which, in hindsight, proved too pessimistic for the Oenothèque and P3 versions. The later vintages are rated significantly higher; for example, the 1992 P3 received 94+ points in a tasting.

⏳ Ageing and drinking window

The 1992 Dom Pérignon has undergone a remarkable evolution. Already described as approachable in the 2000s, it has now developed a fully mature, complex bouquet. The original release (‘P1’) has now reached a high level of maturity and should be drunk soon to enjoy its remaining freshness.

The late releases, Oenothèque (also known as P2 ) and P3 (Plénitude 3), were disgorged after a significantly longer period of ageing on the lees and reveal a completely different dimension. They are more taut, more complex and have even greater ageing potential. The 1992 P3 is described as ‘precisely shaped, with a coherent structure’ and, according to critics, is at the peak of its complexity and expression.

💰 Market prices

Prices for the 1992 Dom Pérignon vary greatly depending on the version, condition and point of sale.

• Original release (P1):

  • Individual bottles are soldat auction for around £160 (approx. €187) to $305.

  • A lot of 12 bottles fetched $1,560at Christie’s .

  • A mixed collection (4 bottles & 2 magnums) was soldat Bonhams for €1,984.

• Oenothèque (P2) / Rosé:

  • These versions are significantly rarer and more expensive. A lot of six bottles of the 1992 Oenothèque Rosé was valued at €4,200 (estimate: €9,000–12,000).

• P3 (Plénitude 3):

  • Prices for this rarity are significantly higher than those at first release and are traded at correspondingly higher levels in specialist shops.

💎 Conclusion

The 1992 Dom Pérignon is a fascinating vintage that impressively demonstrates the art of blending and extended yeast ageing. Whilst the original release now offers a mature, complex and creamy drinking experience, the later Oenothèque and P3 versions showcase the immense longevity and depth of this vintage. For collectors and connoisseurs, the 1992 vintage offers an exciting opportunity to track the development of a great Champagne over decades.

If you would like to find out more about a specific version (P1, P2, P3) or a particular vintage comparison, I would be happy to assist you further.