One of the older houses in champagne, Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët shared a love of nature and the arts. She was a cultured young woman from a Norman merchant family; he a masterful vintner and botanist. A year after their wedding, in 1811 they founded Maison Perrier-Jouët and their son Charles Perrier, a botanist like his father, took over the House in 1848. Their first wine was the Perrier-Jouët brut Champagne, Cuvée K made in 1842 which was a popular wine served at army courts.
That beautiful painted floral label didn’t come until 1902 when Octave Gallice commissioned Emile Gallé to design the bottle of a Perrier-Jouet cuvée - the creation of the famous bottle decorated with Japanese anemones which would symbolize the house. Currently, production is roughly 3 million bottles annually.
Over the past year I have had the chance to taste a range of Perrier-Jouet wines, including several vintages of their top tete de cuvee, the ‘Belle Epoque.’ I love their release from the 2012 vintage which is bold and delicious to consume now, with seriously good flavor range. If you have any of their older vintage ‘Belle Epoque’ wines, I would consider consuming them in the near future, as I do not see these wines improving. Learn more at https://www.perrier-jouet.com/en-ww and here are my tasting notes from the wines of Perrier-Jouet.
NV Perrier Jouet ‘Grand Brut’ Champagne- Fresh and polished, the NV Perrier Jouet ‘Grand Brut’ reveals straightforward sourdough bread flavors alongside a nice dusting of salty minerals and lemon rind flavors. Very mineral-driven, with a soft mousse, enjoy this delicious, straightforward Brut over the next several years. Drink 2022-2026- 90
1996 Perrier-Jouet ‘Belle Epoque’ Champagne- The big and bold 1996 ‘Belle Epoch’ is starting its decline now at the twenty six year mark. Fresher and considerably more expansive over the first 30 minutes of consumption, the wine leads with kumquat rind dusted French bread, marzipan and hints of bergamot with cashew nut tones on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful, mature champagne over the next several years. Drink 2022-2028- 93
2002 Perrier-Jouet ‘Belle Epoque’ Champagne- One of my favorite vintages of this wine, the 2002 ‘Belle Epoque’ Champagne appears to be holding quite well even at the twenty year mark. This takes on copious melon fruits alongside Meyer lemon zest, quince, salted walnut and shades of toasty brioche on the palate, with gobs of finesse and diatomaceous earthy tones. A standout wine to enjoy now, moving into the lovely secondary notes, savor over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94
2006 Perrier-Jouet ‘Belle Epoque’ Champagne- A bigger style for this house, the 2006 ‘Belle Epoch’ is already very evolved and is needing to be consumed over the next few years. Hints of white raisin, Golden Delicious apple and baking spice laced Challah bread all enter the fray, as the mouthfeel and lighter tension hold things together nicely. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2012 Perrier-Jouet ‘Belle Epoque’ Champagne- The 2012 ‘Belle Epoque’ blends 50% Chardonnay, and 45% Pinot Noir with 5% Pinot Meunier from nearly all Grand Cru Vineyards. Powerful and very nervy now, this yields a beautifully orchestrated entry with plenty of bright salinity and chalky undertones. Ripe Japanese pear, Mandarin orange rind, freshly buttered French bread and salted pistachio nut flavors all combine with the soft mouthfeel and lengthy finish. A standout wine, the 2012 ‘Belle Epoque’ will surely cellar well for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2022-2036- 94