Perrier-Jouët : Belle Epoque 2013

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. 6,500 cases imported.

Subtle aromas of cooked apples and minerals with chalk and salt. Brioche, too. Full-bodied with a beautiful mid-palate of strawberry tart, apple pie and some cream. Bright and refined with a long, persistent finish. Classy at the end. Drink or hold.

The 2013 Belle Epoque Brut is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 5% Meunier, aged for a minimum of 6 years and with 8 g/L dosage. Sporting a very pale lemon-yellow color, it is quite closed to begin, soon revealing wonderfully pure notes of green mango and lime blossoms, leading to a core of white peaches, pear drops, and persimmon, with a touch of oyster shell. The palate delivers vibrant, well-defined pear and citrus fruit layers with harmonious acidity and a long fruity finish.

The nose opens up with an extra year on this rather cool vintage. The wine isn’t rigid; the Pinot makes its mark and brings a touch more generosity to the definition on the palate. The palate unfolds with controlled power. The wine is still young and hasn’t yet found its perfect balance.

A fresh, complex nose unfolds a range of vibrant aromas, from passion fruit and gooseberry to honeysuckle’s herbal notes. Refined and radiant on the palate, it charms with a vigorous bead that brings lively energy to a rounded body, building gradually toward a long, mouthwatering finish.

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.

Perrier-Jouët's newly released 2013 Brut Belle Époque 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.