Grand SiècleRecreating
the perfect year

3 exceptional years chosen for their complementarity among the rare Laurent‑Perrier vintages.

A majority of Chardonnay complemented by Pinot Noir from a maximum of 11 Grands Crus out of the 319 Crus in the Champagne region.

Aged for 10 years on the lees for the bottle format and a few more years for the magnum format.

3 exceptional years chosen for their complementarity among the rare Laurent‑Perrier vintages.

A majority of Chardonnay complemented by Pinot Noir from a maximum of 11 Grands Crus out of the 319 Crus in the Champagne region.

Aged for 10 years on the lees for the bottle format and a few more years for the magnum format.

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 Grands 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.

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS

Eye

A white gold colour with delicate and persistent bubbles.
Nose

A very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey.
Palate

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.

Grand Siècle Iteration N°26 awards

Wine of the year
100/100

19,5/20

99/100

Wine/food pairings

Noble meat
Noble fish
Shellfish
Truffle

The perfect pairing by Christian Le Squer ***

Turbot à la plancha, watercress & pickled pear maceration

Grand Siècle Iteration N°23

Assemblage of vintage years
2006 (65 %), 2004 (20 %), 2002 (15 %)

2006: a hot July followed by a cool, wet August brought finesse and elegance to the wines. The Chardonnays reveal notes of white fruit, citrus and white flowers and the Pinots Noirs, notes of red fruit and cherry.

2004: despite a mixed summer, September’s warmth and dryness produced well-structured wines with good length, with Chardonnays showing notes of citrus and acacia flowers and fruity Pinots Noirs.

2002: the harvest took place in September with sunny weather for ideal ripening of the grapes. The wines are fresh, elegant and complex. The Chardonnays have notes of white fruit and the Pinots Noirs, red fruit aromas.

11 Grands Crus

• 58% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Oger.
• 42% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy, Verzenay, Tours-sur-Marne, Mailly.
Ageing

14 years ageing on lees for 150cl. magnums.

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS

Eye

Intense pale yellow colour with highlights evoking the freshness of spring.
Nose

An intense nose with mixed aromas of candied citrus fruit, honey, summer flowers and a few toasted notes.
Palate

The soft attack on the palate coats it with the sensation of silkiness. The finish has the freshness of candied citrus fruit bringing with it length and tension.

Grand Siècle Iteration N°23 awards

99/100

19/20

96/100

Wine/food pairings

Noble meat
Noble fish
Shellfish
Truffle

The perfect pairing by Christian Le Squer ***

Black truffle, 18-month Comté cheese with Arbois wine aroma

Grand Siècle Les Réserves Iteration N°20

Assemblage of vintage years
1999 (60%), 1997 (20%), 1996 (20%)

1999: a hot, stormy summer and a rainy September reveal a fine and elegant vintage. The Chardonnays unveil floral notes and the Pinots Noirs are fruity.

1997: a very dry July and a very hot August followed a cool and rainy month of June. The diversity of the climate produced wines combining structure, maturity, freshness and balance.

1996: a cool spring followed by alternating dry and wet periods during the summer produced balanced wines with a freshness that promises exceptional ageing potential.

8 Grands Crus

54% Chardonnay from: Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
46% Pinot Noir from: Ambonnay, Bouzy, Tours-sur-Marne, Mailly.
Ageing

More than 20 years ageing on lees for 150 cl magnums

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS

Eye

Intense and deeply coloured, dominated by gold and platinum shades. Very delicate bubbles bring exceptional finesse and lightness.
Nose

A complex nose bringing together the three families of aromas - primary, secondary and tertiary - with hints of candied lemon, toasted notes, a light scent of cappuccino and roasted coffee. After a few minutes, spicy, pastry notes appear highlighting the aromatic richness.
Palate

Very silky structure that is almost creamy. The sense of freshness is maintained creating length and breadth weaving together the multi-layered flavours on the palate.