Dom Perignon Jean-Michel Basquiat Brut 2015

Dom Pérignon Jean-Michel Basquiat Brut 2015 is a vintage prestige cuvée Champagne at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle featuring limited-edition label art by the iconic Neo-Expressionist. Scored 97 points by James Suckling and 96 points from both Wine Spectator and Jeb Dunnuck, the 2015 vintage stands among the most critically acclaimed recent Dom Pérignon releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Champagne, France  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Producer: Moët & Chandon  |  Dosage: 4.5 g/l

Production & Heritage

Dom Pérignon is produced exclusively as a vintage wine by Moët & Chandon, the storied Champagne house founded in 1743 in Épernay. The 2015 cuvée blends 51% Pinot Noir with 49% Chardonnay, sourced predominantly from Grand Cru vineyards and the Premier Cru village of Hautvillers — the abbey where the monk Dom Pierre Pérignon pioneered early Champagne techniques. Made using the traditional méthode champenoise, this release aged a minimum of seven to eight years on its lees in the cellars before disgorgement at its first window of maturity, known as Plénitude 1. A signature reductive winemaking approach — where extreme measures are taken to limit oxygen exposure at every stage — gives the wine its characteristic smoky, taut tension. The Jean-Michel Basquiat collaboration wraps the bottle in artwork inspired by the late artist's raw, boundary-breaking visual language, making it a sought-after collector's edition without any alteration to the liquid inside.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with roasted cocoa and coffee bean before unfolding into lime blossom, jasmine, and peony. Subtle currents of aniseed, cardamom, and lemon peel emerge alongside chalky minerality and a whisper of burnt sugar.

Taste: On entry, the palate is crisp and precise, led by green papaya and citrus zest. The mid-palate broadens into ripe peach, nectarine, and cantaloupe, balanced by fresh pastry richness and white pepper spice. A soft, full-bodied texture carries flavors of tarte tatin and ripe orchard fruit through to the peak, where iodine-tinged minerality and smoky wet stone add complexity.

Finish: Long and layered, the finish lingers with toasted brioche, herbs, and a persistent thread of smoke. Fine, chalky tannins frame the close, leaving a vibrant citrus-mineral echo that slowly fades.

How to Drink Dom Pérignon 2015

Serve chilled to around 50–54°F (10–12°C) in a large white wine glass or tulip-shaped flute to let the aromatic complexity breathe fully; a few minutes of air after pouring rewards patience. A classic Champagne Cocktail benefits from the wine's smoky depth and low dosage dryness, while its citrus-driven brightness makes it an exceptional base for a French 75, where the peach and nectarine notes harmonize with gin botanicals. For a minimalist approach, a Champagne Spritz — topped lightly with a splash of elderflower liqueur and soda — highlights the floral jasmine and lime blossom aromas without masking the vintage character.

Best For

• Gifting a Champagne collector or art enthusiast drawn to the Basquiat collaboration
• Anchoring a milestone celebration such as a major anniversary or New Year's toast
• Starting a vertical tasting alongside other Dom Pérignon vintages
• Pairing with a multi-course fine dining experience at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dom Pérignon 2015 taste like? The dominant profile centers on ripe stone fruit — peach and nectarine — layered with citrus zest, toasted brioche, and a signature smoky minerality. Floral notes of jasmine and lime blossom add elegance, while white pepper and aniseed provide subtle spice.

How does Dom Pérignon 2015 compare to Krug Grande Cuvée? Both are top-tier prestige cuvées, but Dom Pérignon is always a single-vintage expression, while Krug Grande Cuvée blends multiple vintages for consistency across releases. The 2015 Dom Pérignon tends toward a more fruit-forward, floral profile with smoky tension, whereas Krug Grande Cuvée typically leans into nuttier, toasty richness from its multi-vintage reserve wine complexity.

Is Dom Pérignon 2015 good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its balanced acidity, low 4.5 g/l dosage, and layered complexity make it ideally suited for contemplative sipping, especially when served slightly warmer than typical sparkling wine to unlock the full aromatic range.

Where is Dom Pérignon made? Dom Pérignon is produced by Moët & Chandon in Épernay, in the heart of the Champagne appellation in northeastern France, using grapes sourced primarily from Grand Cru vineyards and the Premier Cru village of Hautvillers.

What foods pair well with Dom Pérignon 2015? Lightly seared scallops match the wine's creamy texture and citrus notes. Aged Comté cheese echoes its toasty, nutty undertones. Smoked salmon or trout plays into the signature smoky character. White truffle risotto amplifies the earthy minerality, and stone-fruit tarts mirror the peach and nectarine palate.

What sizes does Dom Pérignon 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for the Basquiat limited edition.

Is Dom Pérignon 2015 worth the price? Dom Pérignon positions firmly in the ultra-premium prestige Champagne tier, and the 2015 vintage's critical consensus — 95 to 97 points across four major publications — supports its standing among the finest current-release Champagnes available.

Why Dom Pérignon 2015?

The 2015 vintage earned near-universal critical praise, highlighted by a 97-point score from James Suckling, placing it among the highest-rated Dom Pérignon releases in recent memory. Its reductive winemaking — a deliberate, oxygen-free process applied at every stage — generates a smoky intensity that distinguishes it from most prestige cuvées on the market. Seven to eight years of lees aging before disgorgement builds a creamy, autolytic depth that balances the vintage's naturally generous fruit. The Basquiat-designed label adds genuine collectible appeal without altering the wine itself, making this release both a serious Champagne and a cultural artifact.