Perrier Jouet Champagne Belle Epoque Brut 750ml

Professional Review

This vintage of the iconic brand, with its flowery Belle Epoque bottle, is ready to be popped. The high dosage has transformed into mature toastiness, while ripe white fruits still give freshness.

There's a sense of equilibrium to this graceful Champagne, with a bright spine of acidity easily transitioning the focus to flavors of poached apricot, lemon curd, toasted brioche and ground ginger, then transitioning again on the finish where the finely creamy mousse and subtle hint of smoky mineral hold sway. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2031. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Perrier-Jouët's newly released 2013 Brut Belle Epoque is a giving, demonstrative wine that bursts from the glass with scents of mirabelle plum, confit citrus, buttery pastry and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and charming, it's seamless and elegant, with a pinpoint mousse and a fleshy core of fruit that's amplified by enough dosage to be noticeable. A touch finer-boned than the similarly successful 2012, it constitutes another fine effort from this house.