2017 is the smallest prestige cuvée Champagne vintage on record, with Dom Pérignon’s production reduced to 15% of their annual average. Their 2017 Brut has just arrived in South Africa, and we couldn’t be happier to offer you this 98-point beauty.
Antonio Galloni calls the Dom Pérignon 2017 a ‘slightly more refined version of the 2002’ – a year that’s considered one of the all-time best in Champagne along with 1990, 1996, 2008 and 2012. All signs point to this tiny vintage selling out within 3-4 months, after which the 2018 will be released. If you love the grace and energy of Dom Pérignon, secure your cases of the 2017 without further ado.
This year the blend is made up of 61% Chardonnay and 39% Pinot Noir. The wine itself is structured and densely layered, showing citrus and orchard fruit, white flowers, chalk, toast and that characteristic smoky, mineral note, which we love. All this aromatic intensity sits within a delicately constructed medium to full-bodied frame, with a lovely mousse, pithy grapefruit edge and a lingering finish.
‘Since 2002, Dom Pérignon has been produced in nearly every vintage… This reflects a decision to embrace the personality of each vintage, however challenging the growing season. This is exemplified by the forthcoming 2017 release – the smallest vintage by volume in the maison’s history, yet one that has nevertheless turned out very well in bottle.’ – Wine Advocate
Whilst Dom Pérignon produce this luxury cuvée at considerable scale, ‘It remains one of the highest-rated and most desirable Champagnes on the market.’ – Decanter
Drink the 2017 now or keep it in the cellar for a few decades – either way, you win.
Tasting Notes:
‘The 2017 Dom Pérignon is just as stunning as it was last year, if not more so. What a wine! Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and chalk soar out of the glass. The 2017 is like a slightly more refined version of the 2002, another year in which the Chardonnays were quite opulent. In 2017, Chardonnay accounts for 61% of the blend, very high for Dom Pérignon. Over the last year, the 2017 has gained mid-palate creaminess and has just come together beautifully. Sadly, production is tiny, so much so that the 2017 is expected to be in the market for just a few months before the maison transitions to the 2018.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 98/100 (Tasted May 2026)
‘The 2017 Dom Pérignon is so impressive. A sort of mini-2002, the 2017 is a Champagne of textural richness and resonance above all else. Its creamy, voluptuous contours are so inviting. Production for the 2017 is tiny, about a three-month supply, so this wine will come and go pretty quickly. That represents a fairly dramatic shift in philosophy at Dom Pérignon. In the past, a wine like the 2017 would not have been commerically viable because of its small volume. Today, Chef de Caves Vincent Chaperon prefers to bottle Dom Pérignon in every vintage, if possible, as a document of the year, even if that means some releases will be very small. The 2017 is a wild, exotic Dom Pérignon. I loved it.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 97/100 (Tasted April 2025)
