The launch of the 2008 vintage in September marks the end of the era for Dom Pérignon. Richard Geoffroy will hand over the title of Chef de Cave to Vincent Chaperon.

Dom Pérignon distinguishes itself from other champagne brands by insisting only on the use of grapes harvested within in a single year. Dom Pérignon also always remain a true vintage while other champagne brands tend to reserve wines to mitigate the effect of weak years and preserve a well identifiable product that continues to remain constant regardless of when it was made.

The cellar master for every Dom Pérignon takes charge of the composition of a Bacchic symphony with the previous year’s pinot noir and chardonnay. From there, the champagne is left to slowly mature. If it does not mature appropriately, the company regretfully announces the quality of the harvest in question is not sufficient enough to “declare a vintage.”

The 2008 vintage is truly remarkable for the weather during the time harvested. The year was marked by gloomy weather and suddenly brightened to beautiful sunshine right at harvest time. So 2008 took more time to mature than Dom Pérignon 2009. By the time 2008 was ready, 2009 already went on sale. Nevertheless, the 2008 held expectations displaying notes of white flowers, citrus and stone fruits with the taste of accented acidity and strong aromatic persistence.

Richard Geoffroy held his position for 28 years, declaring 15 vintages in the course of his career at Dom Pérignon. He will step down on January 1 2019 to pave the way for his successor Vincent Chaperone, who gas been with the brand for 13 years.

According to a ress release, the new cellar master will inherit a triple brief: “to take charge of the material legacy of existing vintages, embody the vision of Dom Pérignon and its immaterial heritage… and safeguard the future commitment to vintage winemaking which is the raison d’être of Dom Pérignon.”