The House of Laurent-Perrier was founded in 1812 and remains in a single family’s control to this day. Begun by the Pierlot family, after a few generations, it was bequeathed to their cellar master, Eugène Laurent. Following his accidental death, his widow, Mathilde Emilie Perrier, ran the house and eventually added her surname to her husband’s. Her daughter would sell to another widow, Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, in 1939 whose sons were off fighting in World War II. Eventually, in 1945, her son Bernard de Nonancourt returned to his family’s estate, following his service in the Maquis underground, a vital component of the French Resistance forces. He immediately underwent a rigorous series of apprenticeships to learn all aspects of the family business – from tending the vines to working in the cellar, and even sales at Laurent-Perrier. Finally, at the end of 1948, at the age of only 28, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of Laurent-Perrier. He was one of the rare owners of a Champagne house to have done all the jobs of his future employees.

Over the next several decades, he created the signature Laurent-Perrier style of freshness, finesse, and elegance that has served the house ever since. This Iteration #23 of the flagship Grand Siècle (“Great Century”) is based on the 2006 (65%), 2004 (20%), and 2002 (15%) vintages. The grape blend is 58% chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize, Couilly, and Oger, and 42% pinot noir from Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy, Verzenay, Tours-sur-Marne, and Mailly, with 11 different Grand Crus providing fruit to the final bottling. The aromatics here are truly stunning, floral, and pretty, with roses, cherry blossom, and lilacs, followed by toasted almonds, with adjoining flavors of candied lemon and peaches, then croissant dough and marzipan. The long, smooth finish is punctuated with saline and pink peppercorns, and some bright notes of lemon oil and pickled ginger. Powerful, penetrating, and impeccably styled – this is just ascending into drinkability, with years and years of potential for the future. That said, it’s frankly fantastic right now. Our only wish is we could have gotten more! 5 cases, to the fastest among you!