Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque 2008

Belle Epoque 2008 displays a sophisticated interplay between the reductive, creamy palate, the racy acidity and the fine fruit with its hint of sweetness. The flavours are so complex that the list could go on and on: Lemon, peach, apricot, orange zest, brioche, almonds, hazelnut, and white flowers such as lilies.

The Blanc de Blancs Belle Epoque is even softer, more opulent and less dry, but we think that Comtes de Champagne does this better and prefer the normal Belle Epoque. Even compared to the rosé;

Belle Epoque is renowned for its extravagant Art Nouveau bottle design, created in 1902 by Émile Gallé. Henri Gallice, then President of Perrier-Jouët and an art collector, had been friends with Émile Gallé, founder of the École de Nancy and a pioneer of Art Nouveau craftsmanship, since 1877. In 1902, Gallé designed four bottles for Perrier-Jouët. These bottles subsequently fell into oblivion and were only accidentally rediscovered in early 1964. At that time, Cellar Master André Baveret had already been planning to launch a prestige cuvée for some time, and Michel Budin, an Art Nouveau enthusiast, recognised the iconic impact of this bottle. In 1972, the 1964 vintage was unveiled at Maxim's Belle Epoque restaurant, and at its general launch in 1973, it sold out immediately.

Even today, Perrier-Jouet still produces comparatively small quantities from its own old vines. Belle Epoque is particularly characterised by the excellent vineyards in Cramant. Chardonnay contributes half of the cuvée, Pinot Noir the other half, if you overlook a small proportion of Pinot Meunier. Perrier-Jouet has changed hands many times, from Mumm to Seagram to Allied Domeq to the current owners Pernod-Ricard. Given the insignificant size of the house, the share of turnover of the holdings has been so small that the fine, subtle but also pleasing style of the house has been preserved.

95(93) Richard Juhlin champagneclub.com The best champagne from this fabulous vintage released so far. A Classic Belle Epoque but at the same time even more elegant than usual with a lovely serious flowery bouquet of orange blossom, magnolia and lilies of the valley as key notes in the most perfect of perfumes. The taste is somewhat more acidic than usual where Chardonnay from Avize and Cramant shines bright and clear for the moment with a discreet creamy and yet chalky and powdery emotion that embraces the crispy freshness. Together with the legends of 1964, 1985 and perhaps 1996 the best Belle Epoque ever created. Buy every bottle you can get!

750 mL

12.5

Champagne

Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier

Sulphites

• Brut

France

Perrier Jouet, 26 Av. de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France