Subtle aromas of cooked apples and minerals with chalk and salt. Brioche, too. Full-bodied with a beautiful center palate of strawberry tart, apple pie and some cream. Bright and refined with a long, persistent finish. Classy at the end. Drink or hold.

There's a sense of equilibrium to this graceful Champagne, with a bright spine of acidity easily transitioning the focus to flavors of poached apricot, lemon curd, toasted brioche and ground ginger, then transitioning again on the finish where the finely creamy mousse and subtle hint of smoky mineral hold sway. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2031. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,500 cases imported. — AN

Ripe and nicely yeasty aromas speak of fresh apple compote and just sliced lemons where the latter is picked up by the very rich and relatively full-bodied flavors that are supported by a moderately fine mousse, all wrapped in a bitter citrus pith finale that is attractively dry without being austere. I like the volume and punch and while this is not a Champagne of refinement, there is already fine depth that should only continue to increase with time in bottle. While this could easily be enjoyed now, I would be inclined to hold it for another 3 to 5 years, and for those who enjoy toasty aged examples, this should ultimately gracefully age into that phase.

The 2013 Brut Belle Epoque is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier sourced from Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Vertus and Mailly. It reveals a lively, gourmand bouquet of lemon oil, bread, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and seamless, it’s elegant and charming with a long, mouthwatering finish. Dosage: eight grams per liter. - Yohan Castaing