The 2006 Dom Pérignon P2 is a total stunner. It's a vintage that seems to be especially suited to long aging. Everything about the 2006 is amplified. Its aromatics, fruit and structure are simply dazzling. The explosive finish is unforgettable. -- Antonio Galloni

A blonde bombshell of a Champagne, hedonistic with its alluring brioche, creamed cherry and glazed tangerine flavors that show embellishments of fragrant saffron, candied ginger, fennel seed and vanilla, yet there's lovely definition and focus via the racy, lemon-infused acidity and plush texture. Long and minerally on the finish, with the rich profile joined by a subtle undertow of smoke, oyster shell and brine. Drink now through 2040.

A fully evolved and toasted Champagne. Notes of cotton candy, walnuts, yogurt and a lot of white chocolate with lemon zest vibrancy and a touch of pineapple at the core. Whiffs of minerals and lime tree. A full body with zesty acidity, fine pinprick bubbles, super elegant extraction and a juicy finish. Drinkable now, but can hold.

The P2 late-release concept does seem to work wonders with riper, heavier vintages, and 2006 is no exception. The sheer fruitiness of orange confit, juicy stone fruit, mango and roasted citrus has quietened a little into an integrated, honeyed and voluptuous whole, marked with ground coffee and baklava decadence of age yet held in check with a bitter citric snap, charry smokiness and a lick of tannic firmness rather than acidity. It’s a joyous, complex and expansive P2 which will give its best over the next five years.

The 2006 Dom Pérignon P2, crafted from a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay with a modest dosage of 4.5 grams, is presenting exceptionally well at this stage. It unfurls a complex, deep bouquet of smoke, ripe orchard fruits, mango, exotic fruits and spices. Medium to full-bodied, rich and expressive, it’s harmonious and enveloping and has gained structure and tension compared to the initial 2006 Dom Pérignon, while the palate is perfectly balanced with delicate gastronomic bitterness and chalky dry extracts that contribute to its long, mineral-driven finish. It should go well with delicate fare. P2 is the acronym for the Plénitude 2 series, Dom Pérignon’s second life, indicating that bottles are kept by the house to let them age on the lees and to obtain different expressions of the same wine throughout its life, letting time work its magic and thus acquiring additional complexity. - YC