Ayala : La Perle Brut 2015

Tasting Notes and Recommendations for Ayala’s La Perle Brut 2015

Tasting

Appearance

With an intense, brilliant golden hue, this champagne reveals a fine, delicate bead.

Nose

The nose opens on aromas of toasted bread and toasty notes, accompanied by nuances of hazelnut and sweet tobacco. The bouquet then evolves toward dried-flower aromas and a touch of eucalyptus, rounded out by notes of cocoa and dried fruits.

Palate

The attack is lively, revealing flavors of candied citrus that bring remarkable freshness. The palate unfolds with elegance, showing aromas of cocoa and dried fruits, supported by subtle bitterness that lends structure and length. The overall impression expresses a fine balance between mineral freshness and aromatic complexity, with a persistent, refined finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Comté. It also accompanies, with elegance, a poached egg with raw porcini, garlic cockle pasta, or a caramelized brioche, French toast-style. Its minerality and vivacity make it an excellent match for seafood and oysters.

Serving and Cellaring

La Perle Brut 2015 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 12°C, served in tulip-shaped glasses. This champagne can be enjoyed now or cellared until around 2036 under optimal temperature and humidity conditions.

A prestige cuvée crafted from Champagne Grand Crus

The Estate

Founded in 1860 by Edmond de Ayala in Aÿ-Champagne, the Ayala House distinguished itself as early as 1865 as a pioneer of lightly dosed champagnes, becoming the official supplier to the British Crown. Owned by the Bollinger family since 2005, the House has 22 hectares of vines spread across the most prestigious Champagne terroirs, complemented by 120 hectares cultivated through partnerships. Under the general management of Hadrien Mouflard since 2012 and the oenological direction of Julian Gout, Ayala is defined by its high-precision micro-vinification using 120 individual vats, its signature focus on chardonnay, and its exemplary environmental commitment, aiming for organic certification in 2025 and a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

The Vineyard

This champagne comes exclusively from five carefully selected Champagne Grands Crus. Chardonnay, which represents about 80% of the blend, comes from four outstanding terroirs in the Côte des Blancs: Chouilly brings balance and delicate structure; Cramant offers refinement and chalky mineral freshness; Le Mesnil-sur-Oger lends minerality and aging potential; while Oger contributes personality and aromatic intensity. Pinot noir, making up the remaining 20%, comes from Aÿ in the Montagne de Reims, adding structure and character to the wine. The chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs helped the vines better withstand the vintage’s water stress.

The Vintage

The year 2015 proved particularly demanding in Champagne, marked by drought and high temperatures. Climatic conditions generated high sugar levels without a proportional aromatic ripeness, while water stress sometimes introduced vegetal notes in certain parcels. Nevertheless, the dry conditions ensured the grapes were in perfect health, with no rot development. The chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs offered relative protection against water stress, enabling the chardonnays to express richness and roundness despite the challenging conditions.

Vinification and Aging

La Perle Brut 2015 is vinified exclusively in stainless-steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and the expression of terroir. The base wines are kept separate by parcel until June of the second year following the harvest, allowing for a thorough assessment before blending. After bottling, the champagne ages for more than 8 years in the cellar under cork, encouraging the development of complex, crystalline aromas thanks to controlled micro-oxygenation. Riddling is performed by hand on traditional pupitres. Each bottle is disgorged by hand using the à la volée method, without freezing the neck. After the dosage is added, the champagne benefits from an additional year of rest in the cellar before release, allowing perfect integration of all elements.

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay (80%) and pinot noir (20%).