new label of Grand Brut 98 (late disgorged)

old label of Grand Brut 98 (earlier disgorged)

Perrier Jouet Grand Brut 1998 vintage champagne (late disgorgement version)

Grape proportions: 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Meunier

Disgorged on Jan 8, 2008

Tasted on Mar 17, 2009

First of all, mind you that there are two different labels of Perrier Jouet Grand Brut 1998!

The upper photo shows the label of late disgorged version, which I tasted this time, while the lower photo shows that of the earlier disgorged version (disgorged in and before 2006). Would be lovely if there is chance to try the old label earlier disgorgement version to compare, but if I have to choose one from the two versions, I would definitely go for the late disgorgement version (more aging on lees) with the more impressive new label!

I drank the late disgorgement 98 over the course of 2 hours, serving it with temperature starting 8 DEG.C and going upto 12 DEG.C.

Pale lemon turning pale gold. Delicate mousse.

Initially, the nose is rather green and steely! Steely wet stone notes with hints of lime and green apple. With more airing in the glass, there appear more citrus aroma together with notes of smoke. The first attack on the palate is equally steely, if not more…Light-bodied yet rather stony, mineral depth with fine core of grilled hazelnut bitterness, which is long on the finish. First impression is that this is serious stuff, but the character is too cool (not generous) to be celebratory…It’d be better to reserve this for the long hot summer days only…PJ’s fine Chardonnay from Grand Cru Cramant has definitely asserted itself at this age, despite accounting for only 30% of total blend.

Roughly 1 hour after uncorking, newly poured wine changes, towards a more generous character!

More vanilla on nose and palate. The wine become more fruity and rounded, while the former tight structure melt down a bit. The Pinot Meunier wines stage to show their easy-going and pleasing character.

After another half an hour or so, the wine finally hit the sweet spot! Lovely acacia honey on both nose and palate, with apple flavors followed by exotic mango, while tiny bubbles still teasing your tongue. And this is @ 12 DEG.C! The wine is close to medium-bodied by now and utterly satisfying!

Last but maybe the most important, once again I experienced PJ’s serious vinosity, both by my palate and my body. The penetrating depth and vinosity is what I appreciate most out of all the light, pure and elegant cuvees from PJ!