2002 Dom Perignon

[Roy Hersh]

There's no secret that DP has built an image of "high quality" and "scarcity" in the same way that other luxury items like De Beers has done with diamonds. The only thing is that neither Dom P. or De Beers diamonds are TRULY scarce, but it is a fantastic marketing ploy when you can get people to literally buy into the hype and the positioned "image."

The last time I saw this much attention paid to the DP, was with the 1996 Dom Perignon, which was a remarkable vintage when young (the best I've ever had actually) and now the marketing machine is going wild with the 96 point WA score for the 2002 vintage of DP.

I am a sucka and so far have purchased 3 bottles without even tasting it yet. I will likely buy more, maybe even a case. Costco has a pretty stellar deal on it, at $119 and if you so choose, they even have gift boxes that include two Champagne flutes. That brings the price of the actual bottle closer to $100 which all told is a pretty screaming deal. I am not falling for the 96 points, the scarcity or even the name DP. I am buying because it is my daughter's birth year and there is clearly not much in the way of Port to buy for her.

Has anybody here opened a bottle of the 2002 DP as of yet?

[Andy Velebil]

I've not yet had it, but may get to try it this weekend. From what I've heard, and I'm sure you've seen, it's getting some mixed reviews with most leaning toward not being near as good as the WA score proclaims it to be. With the main complaint seems to be it's low on acidity and hollow, which worries me. Although it seems to be getting better reviews than previous vintages after the great 1996.

But I hope to try it soon and decide for myself.