Presentation: Each bottle comes in a deluxe white lacquered case, accompanied by a book describing its journey from vineyard to glass. An exceptional, beautifully crafted Champagne, with stunning Chardonnay complexity and length. Rich yet delicate, rounded yet refined; floral motifs of hawthorn and acacia lead into citrus and tropical notes. Light, elegant acidity and balance. Will develop further complexity with age. The quintessence of the House terroir. Introduction: A single harvest, a single grape variety, a single terroir. The assemblage of this exceptional cuvée is a work of great precision. The Chardonnay grapes are sourced exclusively from two legendary vineyard parcels: Bouron Leroi and Bouron du midi, situated in the heart of the Côte des Blancs in the terroir of Cramant. Situated half way up the South-East facing slope in this exceptional Grand Cru, these two vineyard parcels benefit from exposure to the first rays of the early morning sun, encouraging a slow and even ripening of the grapes. The cuvée Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2004 is the result of a year of contrasts. After a cold winter and spring with plenty of frosts, the warmth returned in September and the harvest the grapes had attained a perfect balance of sugar and acidity. Tasting Notes: Sweetness touched with a harmonious vivacity. Clear and bright. Opalescent with tinges of green and a persistent mousse. Generous, yet also delicate aromas fill the nose: lilac blossom and young white fruits such as peach and grapefruit. Hints of orange confit, vanilla and cream bring a subtle richness to the bouquet. The attack is fresh, racy and enticing. In the mouth it is delicate yet dynamic, with beautiful length that seduces the palate. Food Pairing: The generosity and elegance of this enticing wine matches perfectly with caviar or shell-fish such as langoustines, scallops or lobster. Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay from two parcels in Cramant: ‘Bourons-Leroy’ and ‘Bourons du Midi’. Dosage: 8g/l. Matured for at least eight years in the House cellars. Background Information: For over two centuries, Maison Perrier-Jouet has continually pursued its quest for quality. 1811 is not just a legendary vintage, it is also the year that Nicolas Perrier, the son of winegrower, Adèle Jouët, the daughter of a family of wine merchants, went on to create a major champagne House. The combination of tradition, “terroir”, know-how, and a love of work created a champagne with elegance and finess. Lying in the heart of the champagne region, Perrier-Jouet owns 65 hectares rating 99.2% on the quality scale (100% being the optimum). This means that each vineyard parcels is classified almost exclusively as Grand Cru. The Chardonnay grape, floral and almost feminine in its elegance and finesse, is the signature variety of Perrier-Jouet’s vineyards, with a strong showing of mature vines (23 years old on average). The holdings take in a homogenous terroir of Chardonnay vineyards some 40 hectares in area within the legendary Grands Crus of Cramant and Avize. Two parcels enjoy almost mythical status – Bourrons Leroy and Bourrons du Midi. From its early days, the House of Perrier-Jouet has made champagne in small quantities with a “limited edition” approach. Like master craftsmen handing down the secrets of their trade from father to son, the seven Chefs de Cave over two centuries have placed quality before quantity. They have also managed to conserve the House’s historical treasures in the shape of its early vintages, such as the Perrier-Jouet 1825, the oldest left in Champagne today. Hervé Deschamps, our current Cellar Master and guardian of this heritage, is a natural upholder of this creative philosophy.