2013 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque

The 2013 Brut Belle Époque is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier sourced from Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Vertus and Mailly. It reveals a lively, gourmand bouquet of lemon oil, bread, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and seamless, it’s elegant and charming with a long, mouthwatering finish. Dosage: eight grams per liter.

Ripe and nicely yeasty aromas speak of fresh apple compote and just sliced lemons where the latter is picked up by the very rich and relatively full-bodied flavors that are supported by a moderately fine mousse, all wrapped in a bitter citrus pith finale that is attractively dry without being austere. I like the volume and punch and while this is not a Champagne of refinement, there is already fine depth that should only continue to increase with time in bottle. While this could easily be enjoyed now, I would be inclined to hold it for another 3 to 5 years, and for those who enjoy toasty aged examples, this should ultimately gracefully age into that phase.

Lively and much more refeshing than the 2006 Blanc de Blancs. Nicely put together. Though certainly not bone dry! (JR)