Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque, 75cl

Brilliant yellow with fine bubbles. Intense and delicate, honey, cocoa, lightly toasted hazelnuts and candied citrus fruit aromas. Silky, concentrated texture, under pinned by an intense, powerful and vinous structure, but retaining its elegance. A fresh finish.

Nose: The first hints of fresh almond and harvest aromas immediately open up into preserved lemon and dried fruits, the whole rounded off by darker smoky and toasted qualities. Palate: The presence of the wine on the palate is immediately captivating. Paradoxically concentrated yet creamy, it is energetic and warm in the mouth, focusing on the fruit, then gradually taking on more profound bass notes. The whole holds its note perfectly, intensively, with just a subtle, elegant hint of underlying bitterness.

Composition: 45% Chardonnay mostly from Cramant and Avize. 50% Pinot Noir particularly from Montagne Nord, including Mailly and Verzy. 5% Pinot Meunier from Dizy and Venteuil 6 years on the lees before disgorgement. Comments: The blend is dominated by the Chardonnays of the Cramant and Avize Grand Crus: generous and open in the 2004 vintage. The Pinot Grand Crus from the Montagne Nord including Mailly and Verzy are rich and powerful, with notes of red fruit. Alcohol: 12.5% Dosage: 8g/1 Tasting Notes: The delicate, fruity bouquet has initial notes of peony which give way to fresh red fruits such as strawberry and raspberry. On the palate, a nice balance of fresh pomegranate and pink grapefruit. The wine has an elegant and subtle tangy attack, a full- bodied harmonious and pleasant silky finish.