Joseph Perrier Vintage 2015 Champagne

Founded in 1825, Champagne Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières, two villages classed 93% in the 'échelle des crus'. They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay.

The cellars stretch over three kilometres and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur.

'Cuvée Royale' alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals' Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne house can hope to earn. All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential.

Made up of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir from vineyards in Ambonnay, Mailly, Chouilly, Bergères-lès-Vertus and Cumières. A dry wine with a dosage of 3g/L. This cuvée ages for a minimum of five years prior to release. Supple and graceful, giving a floral bouquet with a full, rich style.

The wine opens with an elegant and golden colour. The initial aroma is the delicate Chardonnay combined with discrete and elegant flower fragrances, followed by hints of mandarin, orange and dried fruit.

A good complexity, straight forward to begin with, followed by rich fruity aromas, lightly grilled notes and a long, pleasant citrus fruit finish.