Ratings & Tasting Notes:
Ratings & Tasting Notes:
92 points Wine Advocate
No tasting note given. (RP) (12/1994)
91 points Wine Spectator
One of the best ‘flower bottle’ vintages in years. Textbook top notch Champagne with fruity, light toasted aromas and flavors, full body yet a fine underlying acidity. Very long finish. (12/1993)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Adèle Jouët, the house of Perrier-Jouët has long been defined by its artistic spirit and a deep-seated floral elegance derived from its prized Chardonnay holdings in the Côte des Blancs. The “Belle Époque” prestige cuvée (known in the United States as “Fleur de Champagne”) was famously revived in the mid-20th century after the discovery of an original 1902 bottle decorated with the iconic anemone motif by Art Nouveau master Émile Gallé. This design, which remains the centerpiece of the brand’s identity, reflects the winery’s historical focus on the finesse of Grand Cru vineyards, particularly those in Cramant. Since its commercial debut in 1969, the Belle Époque label has served as the house’s ultimate expression of vintage-specific character, produced only in years where the fruit achieves a precarious balance of delicacy and longevity.
The 1988 vintage is remembered as a year of remarkable structure and acidity, often overshadowed initially by the riper 1989 and 1990 vintages, yet later recognized by connoisseurs as a legendary “classic” year for aging. The growing season in Champagne was marked by a mild winter and a rainy spring, but it was the cool, consistent weather leading into the autumn that defined the harvest. Unlike hotter years, the 1988 season allowed for a slow, steady maturation that preserved high levels of acidity—a critical component for the Chardonnay-dominant Belle Époque. This vintage demanded patience from the cellar masters, as the firm backbone of the fruit required an extended period of maturation on the lees to soften. For Perrier-Jouët, the 1988 harvest provided the perfect raw materials to create a millésime that epitomized the house’s signature “flower” style while possessing the architectural strength to endure for decades.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle set shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition. Comes with 2 flutes as shown. Flutes are in perfect condition.
