Champagne Perrier-Jouët - Grand Brut

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Part of the Pernod-Ricard group, the house can draw on its 65-hectare vineyard, almost entirely composed of grands crus, two-thirds of which are Chardonnays in Cramant and Avize, with two legendary plots, Bourons Leroy and Bourons du Midi, reserved for the Belle Époque cuvée. Now offering a rosé and a blanc de blancs, Belle-Époque has a comprehensive and successful range, which is currently being revamped by the excellent Sévérine Frerson, the new cellar master. The rest of the range is delicious and widely appealing.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Founded during the First Empire (1811) by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier, a cork maker from Épernay who owned vineyards, and Adèle Jouët. Their son, Charles, expanded the business, particularly in England, where it became a supplier to Queen Victoria. The house prides itself on having produced the first brut champagne (1854) and is also one of the pioneers in vintage wines. In 2005, it became one of the jewels in the crown of the Pernod-Ricard group, with 65 hectares of vineyards (in Cramant and Avize in the Côte des Blancs, in Mailly in the Montagne de Reims, and in Aÿ and Dizy in the Grande Vallée de la Marne). Chardonnay is very prominent in its cuvées. Screen-printed on the bottle, the Art Nouveau anemones designed in 1902 by Émile Gallé have adorned the Belle Époque vintage cuvée since 1964. In 2020, Hervé Deschamps handed over the keys to the cellar to Séverine Frerson, who was already working alongside him.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

Founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, Perrier-Jouët specializes in Chardonnay and boasts a 65-hectare vineyard, half of which is located in the grand cru villages of Cramant and Avize. Its bottle, with screen printing by Émile Gallé, a leading figure in Art Nouveau, is instantly recognizable. Since 2005, the house has belonged to the Pernod-Ricard group. Cellar master Séverine Frerson oversees the range, particularly the "Belle Époque" cuvées, which are simply superb. The estate welcomes you to its superb "Belle Epoque cellar" on Avenue de Champagne in Épernay.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Like Mumm, Perrier-Jouët has been part of the Pernod-Ricard group since 2005. The house offers very Chardonnay-based champagnes, due to its vineyards being mainly located in Cramant and Avize, with a full-bodied, baroque style championed by cellar master Hervé Deschamps, who joined Perrier-Jouët in 1983. Its famous Belle Époque, designed and signed in 1902 by Émile Gallé, has produced some very fine bottles, but also a few disappointments in intermediate vintages. Unfortunately, prices have skyrocketed.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Obvious autolytic character on the nose. Classic biscuit notes on the palate. Lots of body and dynamism. More red fruit than lemon/citrus, supported by firm acidity, fine mousse, and a lingering finish.

James Suckling