Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque 2015 is a vintage prestige cuvée champagne from the Champagne region, recognisable thanks to its bottle adorned with Japanese anemone flowers. Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque is the original vintage Belle Époque cuvée, which first appeared in 1964. The bottle is decorated with a delicate motif of white Japanese anemones created for Maison Perrier-Jouët by Art Nouveau master Emile Gallé in 1902.
The cuvée is based on a blend of the three grape varieties of the region. Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 45% and Pinot Meunier 5%, with Belle Époque ageing in the Maison's cellars for at least five years. The house's vineyards stretch across several areas of Champagne. They extend from the Côte des Blancs through Reims to the Vallée de la Marne. The year 2015 was distinctly sunny and warm in character. The 2015 growing season was marked by a mild winter and early flowering, which translated into ripe fruit.
In the glass, the champagne takes on a pale golden hue. White gold with silvery reflections; delicate aromas of white flowers, followed by fruity notes of white peach and grapefruit. Added to this are notes of flowers, fruits and spices, including elderflower, stewed pear, cumin and green pepper. Wine Spectator draws attention to the structure and texture of this vintage. An elegant champagne with a satiny mousse, with a bright burst of acidity saturated with Meyer lemon as a framework for precisely interwoven notes of stewed apricot and pear, brioche, candied ginger and chopped almond. Pretty and floral on the finish.
The 2015 vintage fits into the house's more opulent profile. In the sunny, continental-climate 2015 vintage, Belle Époque returns to the opulent, hedonistic style that could be found in 2012. The champagne reached a strength of 12.5%. As for the drinking window, critics' assessments differ. Wine Enthusiast points to drinking now, while Wine Spectator lists Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and recommends drinking now through 2035.