Perrier-Jouët : Belle Epoque 2012

Unfurling in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, freshly baked bread, honeycomb and warm biscuits, Perrier-Jouët's 2012 Brut Belle Époque is medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with a rich, elegantly layered core of fruit, bright acids and an ultra-refined mousse, concluding with a long, precise finish. Fleshy and charming, this numbers among the finest recent renditions of this famous prestige cuvée.

A linear Champagne, focused by racy acidity. The fine mousse and hints of whole-grain toast and marzipan enrich the flavors of Asian pear, oyster shell and verbena to create a harmonious impression overall. Drink now through 2025. 6,500 cases imported.

A very complex and toasty nose with nicely cut, autolytic, reductive kick that adds flinty notes to the lemons and pink grapefruit, as well as fresh, lightly spiced pastry. The palate has a super fluid and attractively fresh feel with a bold, sweetly fruited core that delivers a long, succulent and elegant finish. This is in form! Drink or hold.

(45% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier, dosage 5 g) Silky, delicate, and fragrant bouquet, lilac, yeast, chalk, young pears. Balanced, silky, fine palate with delicate mousse, good fruit, elegant, vinous structure, good acidity, long, fresh finish. 18/20 drink - 2040

A palette that shows more openness than the 2013. The level of ripeness is higher and the whole is appealing. A wine with a broad, powerful palate, where the effervescence is well managed. This is a vinous Champagne that still has strong potential.

The iconic Belle Epoque bottle reveals a well-structured, taut wine. With Chardonnay very much in evidence in the mineral texture, the wine is almost as floral as the bottle. Drink from 2021.