Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle N26

Recreating The Perfect Year:

Vintage in Champagne is usually synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvées. Contrarily, Laurent-Perrier believes that only the art of assemblage can offer what nature can never provide, that is, the perfect year.

The expression of the perfect year is that of a great champagne wine that has long ageing potential and over time develops depth, intensity and aromatic complexity yet retains its freshness and vibrancy.

Due to the format, Grand Siècle in Magnum (150cl) is deliberately aged for a longer time on lees. This additional maturation leads to a further expression of Grand Siècle displaying greater aromatic depth, density and a silkier texture.

Since 1959, Grand Siècle has been revealed only 26 times in bottle format and 23 times in magnum.

The Origin Of The Name:

The Grand Siècle (Great Century) is the name given to one of the most prosperous periods (17th century) in the history of France known for the capacity of man, through his works, to create what nature cannot. Louis XIVth, known as the Sun King, by creating the Château de Versailles and its gardens, was the architect of this model of harmony, balance and perfection.

The symmetry and perspective of the Jardins à la française, the capacity to grow Mediterranean fruits (especially Oranges inside the Orangerie) in such a Northern climate, creating the Grand Canal, the fountains and ponds with no nearby rivers are many illustrations of this ability of man to sublimate natural elements. The name of Grand Siècle was chosen for Laurent-Perrier's Prestige Cuvée based on this common vision to reach a perfection that Nature, on its own, cannot provide.

Grand Siècle Iteration N° 26:

Assemblage of Vintage Years: 2012 (65%), 2008 (25%), 2007 (10%)

2012: winter and spring frosts had an impact on yields, which were rather moderate. The dry, sunny summer produced wines of great finesse with elegant and balanced Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs with red fruit aromas.

2008: the cool, sunny summer produced complex, well-structured wines for an outstanding vintage with high quality Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs revealing exceptional aromatic richness.

2007: a warm spring, the effects of which were mitigated by a mixed summer, revealing straightforward wines with a beautiful freshness that will keep over time, with Chardonnays having complex aromas of white and citrus fruits and Pinots Noirs with aromas of yellow fruits.

8 Grand Crus:

58% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant, Avize

42% Pinot Noir from Tours-sur-Marne, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzy

Ageing:

10 years ageing on lees for 75cl bottles

Tasting Notes:

A white golden colour with delicate and persistent bubbles. A very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey.

The attack in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.

Wine/food pairings:

Noble meat, Noble fish, Shellfish, Truffle