Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Nº24 Champagne

Description

Product Information: The Grand Siecle Nº24 is intense as it is complex with notes of slightly candied citrus fruits, secondary aromas of pastries, toasted almonds and subtle hints of honey and gingerbread. A fresh and delicate attack with an impression of fullness, the finish is persistent showing Grand Siecle’s signature balance between strength and delicacy. To achieve ‘the perfect year’ Laurent Perrier seeks freshness, structure, and finesse from the finest vintages, the result is Grand Siecle. The Nº24 release is an assemblage of vintage years the blend is created from 2007, 2006 and 2004. 2007 is direct, floral and citrus notes. Freshness and salinity best characterise this vintage. 2006 Chardonnays are rich and complex with great balance, Pinot Noirs were rich with notes of red fruit, structure and power. 2004 provides both quality and quantity, the Chardonnays showed great aromatic potential and balance. Pinot Noirs were of the highest quality. Grand Siecle is a Prestige Cuvee that is a unique concept. It is the only Cuvee de Prestige in Champagne based on the blend and not on the vintage. Most Champagne houses consider vintage to be synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvees. Quite the opposite for Laurent Perrier, their belief is that the art of blending can allow them to create what nature will never give us: the perfect year. Maker: In 1812, Andre-Michel Pierlot, a former cooper and bottler from Chigny-les-Roses, established himself as a champagne merchant in Tours-sur-Marne, founding what would become Maison Laurent-Perrier. This Grand Cru village, strategically located at the intersection of three key vineyards, provided fertile ground for his enterprise. Pierlot passed the company to his son, Alphonse, who, lacking heirs, entrusted it to cellar master Eugene Laurent. After Laurent’s untimely death in 1887, his widow, Mathilde-Emilie Perrier, took charge, introducing her “Grand Vin Sans Sucre” in 1889, catering to evolving tastes. In 1925, Eugenie-Hortense Laurent succeeded her mother but sold the estate in 1939. Marie-Louise de Nonancourt acquired Domaine Laurent-Perrier during World War II. Her son Bernard, who joined the Resistance, returned to lead the company at just 28 after the war, transforming it into an industry innovator over four decades. Under his guidance, Laurent-Perrier became synonymous with freshness, elegance, and purity, exporting its champagnes to over 160 countries. The company transitioned to a Management Board structure in 1999, spearheaded by Bernard and his daughters, ensuring a legacy of high standards and independence. With Michel Fauconnet as Cellar Master since 2004, the House maintains its commitment to quality, while Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt joined in 2019, representing Grand Siecle and furthering Laurent-Perrier’s innovative spirit Philosophy: Its house style is known for its finesse and elegance, based around an emphasis on the Chardonnay variety in all but the rose wines. Chardonnay accounts for 55 percent of the blend in La Cuvee (the renamed Brut Non-Vintage). By blending traditional Champagne practices with innovative winemaking techniques, the House produces a range of unique wines, each with its own story. Key to this style is the use of stainless steel vats, allowing for low-temperature fermentation that preserves the wine’s freshness and aromatic complexity. The meticulous vinification process involves selecting the best grapes from renowned vineyards, including 17 Grands Crus and 42 Premiers Crus. Each batch is vinified separately, enabling the Cellar Master to create harmonious blends that capture the essence of Laurent-Perrier. This dedication to quality is further reflected in their long ageing process, ensuring that each Cuvee is ready to enjoy upon release. Laurent-Perrier is also a pioneer in low-dosage wines, launching the “Grand Vin Sans Sucre” in 1889 and later the Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut in 1981. The House continues to lead with innovations like the Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, reinforcing its commitment to producing champagnes that celebrate the balance between tradition and modernity. Nose – White Flowers, Orchard Fruit, White Pepper White flowers, mint, white pepper and green orchard fruit all grace this exquisite, super-expressive Champagne. Palate – Apricot, Lemon Confit, Filigree Mousse Deep greenish yellow. Creamy, oaked Chardonnay sort of nose recalls white burgundy. Finish – Preserve Lemon, Chalk, Toasted Nuts Much richer than the Blanc de Blancs of course but with the same tight texture and filigree mousse. Sleek and racy on the lasting, spiced finish. A fantastic prestigious cuvee this year with a solid core of fruit that makes it so serious and structured. Like a grand cru Burgundy. Full body. Lightly chewy. Phenolic tension gives it form and beauty.