Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne

Maison Laurent Perrier’s motto for the cuvée Grand Siècle is "blending the best with the best to obtain the very best". There’s nothing to add! "Incredible aromas of apple skin, pie crust, praline and flowers. So young in the nose. Full-bodied with super-fine tannins. It’s tight and refined, yet structured and intense. Really long and beautiful. Still shy. Wonderful finish. 12 years on its lees before disgorging. Three vintages in the blend, 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%). 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. It’s the highest percentage of chardonnay ever." James Suckling

• Winery: Laurent-Perrier
  
• Varietal: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
  
• Region: Champagne, France
  
• Vintage: 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%), 2006 (10%)
• Iteration: No. 25
  
• Alcohol: 12%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
• Food match: Lobster, shrimp, shellfish, smoked salmon, caviar, oysters, fried chicken, Brie-style cheeses, fruit-based desserts (tarts and crepes)
  

Grand Siècle is a Prestige Cuvée that is a unique concept, different from the others. It is the only Cuvée de Prestige in Champagne based on the blend and not on the vintage. The vintage in Champagne is generally considered synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvées. Conversely, at Laurent-Perrier, their belief is that the art of blending can allow them to create what nature will never give us: the perfect year.

The expression of the perfect year is that of a great Champagne wine that has developed a deep intensity and aromatic complexity, while managing to preserve its freshness and acidity over time. On this idea Grand Siècle was born in 1959. To create this wine, Laurent-Perrier will rely on the characteristics of the great vintage years of Champagne: freshness, structure, finesse.

Champagne Laurent-Perrier is one of the most distinguished family-owned Champagne Houses. Based in the heart of Champagne, in Tours-sur-Marne, Laurent-Perrier has a pedigree for innovation, handcrafting a diverse and pioneering range of fine champagnes that are produced to traditional, time-honoured methods.

The Beginning - The House of Laurent-Perrier was founded in 1812 by André Michel Pierlot and took the name Vve Laurent-Perrier when Mathilde Emilie Perrier, the widow of Eugène Laurent, combined the two family names after she decided to expand the business. Eugénie Hortense Laurent, her daughter, inherited the House in 1925 and sold it to Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt in 1939.

Rebirth - In 1939, Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, widow and mother of four children, mindful of their future, acquired the Domaine Laurent-Perrier. During WWII, Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt ran the business while two of her sons, Maurice and Bernard, joined the French Resistance. In 1945, Bernard de Nonancourt began an exacting apprenticeship, learning every aspect of winemaking from vine to cellar, before his appointment in October 1948 as Chairman and Chief Executive. At that point, the House was employing around 20 people and shipping 80,000 bottles a year.

Expansion - Fired by a passion for champagne, a respect for traditional values and, most importantly, for people, Bernard de Nonancourt inspired Laurent-Perrier with his independent spirit and creative audacity. He established privileged working relationships with the grape growers and cleverly combined innovation and tradition. He created the signature Laurent-Perrier style of freshness, finesse and elegance and developed a unique range of champagnes which are today exported to more than 160 countries worldwide.

Today, the House of Laurent-Perrier is the largest independent champagne brand worldwide. The 150 hectares of vines owned directly by Laurent-Perrier are all kept with environmentally-friendly methods.

• 99/100 Points - James Suckling - “A triumph in complexity and power” (Iteration No. 25)
• 19.5/20 Points - Bettane + Desseauve (Iteration No. 25)
• 97/100 Points - William Kelley, Robert Parker (Iteration No. 25)
• 96-98/100 Points - Essi Avellan  (Iteration No. 25)
• 97/100 Points - Falstaff (Iteration No. 25)
• 96+/100 Points - William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Iteration No. 25)
• 95+/100 Points - Farr Vintners (Iteration No. 25)
• 95/100 Points - Alberto Lupetti, Guide Grandi Champagne (Iteration No. 25)
• 94/100 Points - Antonio Galloni (Iteration No. 25)
• 18.5+/20 Points - Jancis Robinson (Iteration No. 25)
• 18/20 Points - Gault & Millau (Iteration No. 25)