Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 is an extraordinary expression of power, concentration and elegance, capturing the remarkable intensity and structural precision of one of Champagne's most celebrated vintages.

Crafted from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay harvested exclusively in 1996, this prestigious vintage rosé demonstrates the Maison's dedication to creating Champagne of exceptional individuality, harmony and aromatic complexity.

The vintage is distinguished by its fascinating contrast between concentration and freshness. Generous fruit, remarkable acidity and an assertive structure come together in a Champagne of exceptional depth and vitality.

Its complex aromatic profile opens with distinctive malt notes, followed by ripe nectarine, wild strawberries and delicate smoky, peaty nuances. The palate is powerful, precise and wonderfully expressive, revealing beautifully integrated fruit, finely structured acidity and a firm finish accented by subtle vanilla and spice.

Combining the richness of Pinot Noir with the refinement of Chardonnay, Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 offers an extraordinary interpretation of vintage Champagne, bringing together mature complexity, remarkable energy and enduring elegance.

A magnificent expression of the Maison's historic craftsmanship, this exceptional vintage represents a distinguished choice for collectors, Champagne connoisseurs and memorable gastronomic occasions.

Dom Pérignon is dedicated exclusively to vintage Champagne, creating each release from grapes harvested in a single year to express the distinctive character and possibilities of that particular season.

Dom Pérignon Rosé represents the Maison's especially expressive interpretation of this philosophy, celebrating the intensity of Pinot Noir while preserving the elegance and harmony that distinguish its prestigious Champagnes.

The history of Dom Pérignon Rosé began with the 1959 vintage, establishing a remarkable tradition of creating exceptional rosé Champagnes through meticulous selection, careful assemblage and prolonged maturation.

At the heart of the Maison's approach lies the creative tension between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir contributes power, structure and expressive fruit, while Chardonnay introduces precision, finesse and balance.

The 1996 vintage embodies this philosophy with particular intensity. Its extraordinary combination of ripe fruit and vibrant acidity creates a Champagne where generosity and tension coexist in remarkable harmony.

The resulting wine celebrates the richness of Pinot Noir without compromising the purity, elegance and structural refinement that define Dom Pérignon.

Through its exceptional vintage character and distinguished heritage, Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 remains a compelling expression of the Maison's pursuit of excellence.

The 1996 Champagne growing season was marked by dramatic climatic contrasts, creating the conditions for one of the region's most distinctive and highly regarded vintages.

The year began with a significant shortage of moisture, followed by periods of unsettled weather during a variable summer. Subsequent rainfall was insufficient to compensate fully for the earlier water deficit.

During the final weeks before harvest, alternating periods of intense warmth and persistent north-easterly winds transformed the development of the grapes.

These conditions encouraged remarkable fruit concentration and ripeness while preserving unusually pronounced natural acidity.

The harvest began on 16 September 1996, revealing grapes of exceptional character, with a distinctive balance between maturity, concentration and freshness.

For Dom Pérignon, the vintage presented an extraordinary opportunity to express the interplay of power and precision through the assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

In Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996, this remarkable vintage character emerges through expressive fruit aromas, profound structural tension and a firm, lingering finish.

The result is a Champagne that captures both the generosity and the striking energy of this exceptional harvest.

Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 1996 is produced from an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, bringing together the contrasting yet complementary characteristics of Champagne's two celebrated grape varieties.

• Pinot Noir — 55%: Contributes concentration, structural depth, rich red-fruit character and the distinctive power associated with Dom Pérignon Rosé.
• Chardonnay — 45%: Introduces elegance, freshness, aromatic precision and structural balance.

The 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay composition is documented in Sotheby's published assessments of the 1996 vintage.

The distinctive character of Dom Pérignon Rosé is achieved through the art of assemblage, with still red Pinot Noir wine contributing additional colour, texture and aromatic intensity.

For the 1996 vintage, the interaction between the richness of Pinot Noir and the exceptional natural acidity of the harvest creates a particularly striking balance between concentration and elegance.

The resulting Champagne is simultaneously powerful and refined, with a distinctive structure that reveals its complexity gradually through the tasting experience.

Time is a fundamental element in the creation of Dom Pérignon, allowing each vintage to develop its aromatic complexity, textural refinement and harmonious structure through prolonged cellar maturation.

Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 was created through the Maison's traditional commitment to extended ageing on its lees, allowing the wine's distinctive fruit character and structural intensity to evolve.

During this maturation, the Champagne develops greater aromatic complexity as its vibrant primary fruit expression becomes integrated with refined secondary notes associated with the traditional Champagne method.

For the 1996 vintage, this evolution contributes to the wine's delicate combination of mature richness, smoky complexity and remarkable freshness.

The result is a Champagne of considerable structural depth, where finely integrated acidity and expressive Pinot Noir character provide exceptional definition and persistence.

The wine's capacity for further aromatic evolution reflects both the exceptional character of the 1996 harvest and the Maison's meticulous approach to vintage Champagne production.

Appearance: An elegant, expressive rosé colour with salmon-pink and delicate amber reflections, complemented by fine, persistent effervescence.

Nose: Complex and distinctive, opening with malt aromas that develop into ripe nectarine and wild strawberries. Delicate smoky and peaty notes contribute depth, sophistication and a fascinating savoury dimension.

Palate: Intensely expressive and beautifully concentrated, with remarkable energy and structural definition. Ripe fruit and firm acidity unfold in a powerful yet refined progression, revealing exceptional tension and precision.

Texture: Rich, finely structured and harmonious, combining the natural concentration of the vintage with elegant effervescence and refreshing acidity.

Finish: Firm, persistent and beautifully expressive, marked by subtle vanilla and spice. The wine's vibrant structure provides extraordinary definition and an enduring impression of freshness.

Overall Character: An exceptionally powerful and sophisticated vintage rosé Champagne, distinguished by remarkable concentration, structural tension, smoky aromatic complexity and enduring elegance.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 97/100

This outstanding rating is recorded in Sotheby's auction catalogues for Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996, highlighting the exceptional reputation of this prestigious vintage Champagne.

Wine Enthusiast — 95/100

The vintage received an excellent 95-point assessment, reflecting its distinguished quality, remarkable structure and exceptional character.

Wine & Spirits — 95/100

This additional 95-point assessment further recognises the Champagne's standing among the distinguished vintage rosés of its era.

Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine

In her tasting assessment published by Sotheby's, Sutcliffe highlights the wine's distinctive peaty and malty aromas, evolving wild-strawberry and nectarine character, and elegant floral expression. She particularly appreciates the remarkable delicacy that accompanies the wine's underlying power.

These professional assessments demonstrate the exceptional complexity, maturity and distinguished character of Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996.

Dom Pérignon's distinctive identity is rooted in the exceptional vineyards of Champagne and the Maison's unwavering commitment to expressing the personality of each vintage.

The celebrated chalk and limestone-rich soils of Champagne contribute to the freshness, precision and mineral character associated with the region's finest wines.

Pinot Noir provides structural intensity, body and expressive red-fruit aromas, while Chardonnay contributes elegance, delicacy and the freshness necessary to create a harmonious assemblage.

Dom Pérignon's approach emphasises the careful selection and blending of exceptional wines to achieve a distinctive balance between power and finesse.

For the remarkable 1996 vintage, this philosophy is expressed through the interaction of unusually concentrated fruit and pronounced natural acidity.

The resulting Rosé displays exceptional depth and energy, demonstrating how the Maison's expertise transforms the distinctive conditions of a harvest into a Champagne of remarkable individuality and refinement.

Recommended Serving Temperature: Serve around 10–12°C to appreciate the Champagne's mature aromatic complexity, concentrated fruit character and refined structure.

Glassware: A fine white wine glass or tulip-shaped Champagne glass with a gently narrowing rim allows the intricate aromas and delicate effervescence to express themselves.

Chilling: Chill gradually in a temperature-controlled wine refrigerator or an ice bucket with water and ice, avoiding excessively low temperatures that may suppress its complex bouquet.

Storage Temperature: Maintain a stable cellar temperature around 10–12°C.

Storage Conditions: Store away from direct sunlight, significant temperature fluctuations, excessive vibration and strong odours.

Cellaring: This mature vintage may continue to evolve under suitable cellar conditions, developing additional tertiary complexity over time.

After Opening: Refrigerate promptly using a Champagne-specific airtight stopper to preserve its effervescence and aromatic character.

• Fine Poultry and Duck: Roast duck breast with orange reduction, guinea fowl and delicately prepared poultry with fruit-based sauces.
• Premium Seafood: Butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, langoustines and delicately prepared king crab.
• Foie Gras: Seared foie gras accompanied by cherry compote, caramelised apples or delicately spiced fruit reductions.
• Japanese Cuisine: Premium tuna sashimi, lightly seared seafood and refined preparations incorporating balanced umami flavours.
• Wild Mushrooms: Porcini risotto, morel mushroom dishes and delicately prepared truffle pasta.
• Artisanal Cheeses: Mature Comté, aged Gruyère and refined soft cheeses.
• Elegant Canapés: Smoked salmon blinis, savoury mushroom tartlets and sophisticated seafood appetisers.

The Champagne's expressive red fruit, smoky nuances, vibrant acidity and firm structure make it particularly suited to refined gastronomic cuisine with complex yet balanced flavours.

• Producer: Dom Pérignon
• Parent Champagne House: Moët & Chandon
• Cuvée: Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage
• Vintage: 1996
• Classification: Prestige Vintage Brut Rosé Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Region: Champagne, France
• Wine Colour: Rosé
• Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Grape Composition: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, as documented by Sotheby's
• Production: Traditional-method vintage rosé Champagne
• Harvest Commencement: 16 September 1996
• Vintage Character: Concentration, tension and pronounced acidity
• Wine Style: Brut Rosé
• Alcohol Content: 12.5% ABV
• Bottle Format: Standard Bottle
• Bottle Volume: 750ml / 75cl
• Professional Ratings: 97 Wine Advocate / 95 Wine Enthusiast / 95 Wine & Spirits
• Recommended Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
• Allergen Information: Contains sulphites

Named after Dom Pierre Pérignon, the 17th-century Benedictine monk associated with the historic Abbey of Hautvillers, Dom Pérignon is among the world's most prestigious names in vintage Champagne.

The Maison is renowned for its uncompromising dedication to creating Champagne exclusively from grapes harvested in a single year, allowing each release to express the distinctive character of its vintage.

Its celebrated winemaking philosophy centres on achieving harmony, precision and exceptional balance through meticulous grape selection, careful assemblage and prolonged cellar maturation.

Dom Pérignon Rosé represents an especially expressive aspect of this philosophy, highlighting the power and aromatic intensity of Pinot Noir while preserving the refinement and elegance associated with the Maison.

Through its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, artistic expression and exceptional vintage quality, Dom Pérignon continues to produce some of the world's most distinguished and sought-after prestige Champagnes.

Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 is an extraordinary expression of the power, elegance and individuality that distinguish the greatest vintage Champagnes.

We particularly appreciate the wine's remarkable aromatic complexity, where ripe nectarine and wild strawberries intertwine with distinctive malt, delicate smoke and subtle peaty nuances.

Its vibrant acidity and concentrated structure create an exceptional contrast between power and refinement, while its firm, subtly spiced finish provides a lasting impression of precision and elegance.

The distinguished 1996 harvest, expressive Pinot Noir character and prolonged maturation contribute to a Champagne of remarkable depth and individuality.

With exceptional critical acclaim and a celebrated place in Champagne history, Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 represents a magnificent choice for serious Champagne connoisseurs, collectors and exceptional gastronomic occasions.

A distinguished vintage from one of Champagne's most prestigious names, Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 embodies the craftsmanship, heritage and exceptional taste celebrated by the Barrels & Beyond PH Fine Wine Collection.