Champagne, Laurent Perrier, Grand Siècle
About Producer
Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier was sold in 1939 to Marie-Louise Lanson de Nonancourt who ran the business during WWII while two of her sons, Maurice and Bernard, joined the French resistance. The Laurent-Perrier we know today owes much to Bernard who took over the reins of the family house in 1948. First launched in 1959 from a blend of the 1952, 1953 and 1955 vintages, the cuvée Grand Siècle was the brainchild of Bernard de Nonancourt who wanted to ‘recreate the perfect year’ in Champagne. Called ‘iteration’, each release is made of 3 vintages of reserved wines blended together. There are only 25 iterations since 1959. In recent years it has moved a step further by producing remarkably poised and precise champagne. Bernard’s daughters Alexandra and Stéphanie are continuing the masterpiece initiated by their father, with the competent advice of chef de cave Michel Fauconnet.
Varietals
Blend of 55% chardonnay and 45% pinot noir grapes sourced from 11 of the 17 grand cru vineyards in Champagne. This bottle is from Iteration No. 19, a blend of the 1995, 1996 and 1997 vintages, aged for more than 10 years on lees and dosage is 8g/L.
About Appellation
One of the first mentions of vines in the region was made by Saint Remigius, the Bishop of Reims who baptised the King of the Franks Clovis I in 496, who listed in his testament a vineyard in the suburb of Reims. Much has been written about the key roles of Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), a Benedictine monk at Hautvilliers Abbey, and Frère Jean Oudart (1654-1742), from Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts Abbey in Pierry, in the development of Champagne as we know today. In 1690, 'Champagne Wines' were first mentioned to designate sparkling wines of the region, and it was also the first time in France that a wine was identified as produce from a specific region. Today, the vineyards covers 34,300ha in four sub-regions, Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. Within the three first sub-regions, there are 17 Grand Cru communes. While the main grape varieties are pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, four other varietals are also used in some blends, arbane, petit meslier, pinot blanc and pinot gris (known locally as fromenteau).
Tasting Notes
Alluring nose of white stone fruits, macerated citrus, roasted peanuts, warm pastry, baking spices, tobacco and dried flowers, ample mouthfeel with seamless texture, impressive focus and remarkable fruit intensity, multilayered flavours of nectarine, pineapple, yuzu, bergamot orange, salted hazelnut, hints of honey and Christmas shortbread, racy acidity and refined bubbles carrying through a long, precise finish. Having repeatedly tasted this splendid champagne over the years, I’m once again amazed by the ethereal elegance, vivacious drive and mouthwatering freshness that are gliding along the palate, still unabated at almost 30 years old. Like a virtuoso practising musical scales among ballet dancers, it unleashes an enchanting melody of panache, finesse and energy on the palate that adds an irresistible sense of harmony to the whole. Just imagine Jean-Baptiste Lully’s music resonating through the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles during the heyday of the Grand Siècle. (06/2024)