Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle 24 Grande Cuvee, Champagne

A fantastic prestigious cuvée 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. This is the first year to use numbers. 55% chardonnay and 45% pinot noir. 2007, 2006 and 2004. Drink or hold. 

97 points jamessuckling.com June 2021

Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle is one of Champagne’s most distinctive and intellectually driven prestige cuvées, built on the radical idea that blending exceptional vintages can achieve a level of harmony no single year can deliver alone. Rather than declaring a vintage, Grand Siècle is created from a carefully selected trio of outstanding years, each chosen for a specific role. Structure, freshness and finesse. The result is a Champagne defined by balance, precision and timeless elegance.

Laurent Perrier is renowned for its Chardonnay led philosophy and focus on purity, and Grand Siècle sits at the absolute pinnacle of that vision. The blend is dominated by Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, with Pinot Noir adding depth and authority. Long ageing on lees, often well beyond a decade, builds complexity and texture while preserving remarkable freshness. Everything about this wine is deliberate, from vineyard selection to the final dosage, which is kept low to maintain clarity and drive.

In the glass, Grand Siècle is luminous gold with an exceptionally fine, persistent bead. Aromatically, it is layered and refined. Lemon zest, white peach and ripe pear lead, followed by toasted brioche, hazelnut and almond. With air, deeper notes emerge. Honey, nougat, chalk and subtle spice add gravitas without weight. The aromas feel seamless rather than dramatic, a sign of long ageing and meticulous blending.

On the palate, the wine is poised and beautifully composed. Citrus and stone fruit flavours glide through a silky, precise mousse, supported by bright, integrated acidity that gives length and lift. The texture is creamy yet taut, with savoury notes of pastry, nut and mineral complexity unfolding gradually. The finish is long, dry and quietly powerful, lingering with citrus peel, chalk and refined toast.

This is a Champagne made for both celebration and contemplation. It pairs superbly with lobster, scallops, roast poultry, truffle dishes or simply on its own when the occasion demands something truly special. While already stunning on release, Grand Siècle has remarkable ageing potential and will continue to evolve gracefully over many years, gaining further depth and complexity.

Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle is not about vintage declaration or excess. It is about perfection through balance, achieved patiently and consistently. Elegant, profound and unmistakably refined, it stands as one of Champagne’s great prestige cuvées and a benchmark for blended excellence.