94 Points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Why to buy: Cult filmmaker David Lynch (Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks) designed the label of this gorgeous Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003, a testament to the beauty that can result from hardship: Grapes touched by both frost and a scorching summer resulted in a simply extraordinary Champagne.

"Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003 will be marked by its intensity." - Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave, Creator of Dom Pérignon Vintages

Backstory: The collaboration between David Lynch and Dom Pérignon is a tribute from one exceptional creator to another. The surprising spring frosts of April 2003 gave way to a blazing summer in Champagne; it was the hottest the region had been in 53 years. Grapes that miraculously survived were ripe and healthy, like the famous harvests of 1947, 1959 and 1976. The resulting vintage has a depth of character and intensity that impressed Lynch, who spent days in a darkroom working on this masterful label.

Nose, palate and pairing: Reminiscent of the outstanding 1976 vintage, this wine's bouquet spirals through sweet, bright and floral notes before delivering the classic Dom Pérignon minerality. Notes of candied fruits and plants give way to dark hints of spice and licorice. The palate is tactile and intense, rather than simply aromatic; it starts as mild and delicate before building to a precise, confident minerality with a slight, refined bitterness. This is a Champagne for drinking alone on a special occasion, but thanks to its mineral notes, it is wonderful paired with oysters, too.

Brand: Dom Pérignon