Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Grand Siècle #26
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Winery | |
| Grape | , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (12%) |
| Drink window | 2022 - 2045 |
| Available as of | Nov 11, 2025 |
Description
Laurent-Perrier and the philosophy behind Grand Siècle
Laurent-Perrier is one of the historic houses of Champagne and is known for an elegant, fresh style in which Chardonnay plays a prominent role. Since the 1950s, Grand Siècle has been the epitome of their vision: instead of a single vintage, they deliberately choose a blend of three exceptional years to create a cuvée that no single vintage can equal. The wine is composed of grands crus whose chalky soils, high altitude, and cool microclimate provide an ideal base for extended aging. Grand Siècle is only produced in vintages with sufficient tension, ripeness, and precision. The No. 26 version is a blend of 2012, 2008, and 2007 and is considered one of the most elegant editions of recent years.
The vineyards and the terroir
Grand Siècle is made from eight grands crus, among the finest in the Champagne region. The chalky soils bring tension, freshness, and structure, while the cool hillside location allows for the gradual ripening of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The estate has 150 hectares of its own vineyards, but also selects fruit from carefully managed plots that have worked with the estate for decades. The grapes are vinified exclusively in stainless steel tanks and always undergo full malolactic fermentation, ensuring the style retains clarity and precision without becoming harsh. The emphasis on Chardonnay creates tension and elegance, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and texture.
The blend of Grand Siècle N°26
No. 26 is composed of 58 percent Chardonnay and 42 percent Pinot Noir. The blend consists primarily of 2012 vintages, supplemented by the more structured 2008 vintage and the ripe, rounded 2007. This combination creates a Champagne with energy, opulence, and aromatic depth. The wine was aged on lees for ten years and was disgorged in 2023 with a dosage of seven grams per liter. This extended aging gave the wine a refined mousse, subtle brioche notes, and a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and mineral tension.
Vinification and style of the cuvée
As is customary for the house, N°26 is vinified entirely in stainless steel at a low temperature to preserve aromatic purity. The short ageing of the base wines emphasizes freshness, while the long maturation on the lees gradually adds texture, complexity, and depth. The dosage of seven grams per liter finishes the wine with a subtle roundness without disrupting its lively, elegant style. The reductive signature of Grand Siècle contributes to its ability to retain freshness and detail for decades. Critics appreciate N°26 for its softer, more refined character compared to N°27, with added elegance and length.
Color, aroma and taste of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°26
The color is a bright, delicate gold hue. The nose is complex and layered, with aromas of peach, candied pear, honey blossom, clementine, and subtle toasted bread. Later, nuances of ginger, nutmeg, tarte tatin, and a light saltiness emerge. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth, and extremely precise. The mousse is refined and precisely measured. The fruit is ripe yet fresh, supported by lively acidity and an energetic structure. The finish is long, elegant, and slightly salty, with a balance that invites repeated tasting. This cuvée is expressive yet never heavy, classic yet with modern clarity.
Would you like to order Laurent-Perrier wines online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairing advice for Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 26
Oysters with citrus and light vinaigrette
The wine's saltiness and lively acidity enhance the pure flavour of oysters.
Lobster with warm butter sauce and citrus notes
The creamy texture of lobster pairs perfectly with the soft mousse and layered complexity of Champagne.
Scallops with burnt butter and cauliflower cream
The subtle nuttiness and ripe fruit complement the delicate sweetness of the scallops.
Pike-perch with fennel and saffron
The elegant, fresh style of the wine adds tension to the spicy and aromatic elements of the dish.
Roasted chicken with tarragon and lemon
The creamy texture and fresh acidity of the cuvée form a harmonious combination with poultry and herbs.
Tarte tatin with soft vanilla
The brioche and fruit notes of Champagne pair surprisingly well with warm, caramelized apples.
Specifications
| Available as of | Nov 11, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Winery | Laurent Perrier |
| Grape | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Drinking as of | 2022 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 12 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| James Suckling rating | 100 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Iets te vieren, Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by:
Kristaps Karklins
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2042
Disgorged in 2023 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, the NV Grand Siècle N°26—a blend of the 2012, 2008 and 2007 vintages, with dominance from the youngest—continues its impressive trajectory. It opens with aromas of peach, candied pear and burnt buttered toast, mingling with clementine, honeysuckle and a hint of iodine. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, boasting a ripe yet vibrant fruit core underpinned by lively acidity and enlivened by a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a delicately saline finish. Described by Olivier Vigneron as “monolithic,” this iteration shows itself slightly more elegant than the N°27. Comprising 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, it too hails from eight villages.
Since Olivier Vigneron’s recent appointment as cellar master at Laurent-Perrier, I was eager to arrange a visit in Tours-sur-Marne with him—Vigneron being not only responsible for Laurent-Perrier but also for Salon and Delamotte, houses within the Laurent-Perrier Group. Naturally, the long interval between harvest and commercialization in Champagne means that, for some time, we will be still tasting the fruits of the long-serving former chef de caves, Michel Fauconnet.
Laurent-Perrier owns 150 hectares of vineyards, accounting for roughly 10% of their needs. Out of the 1,300 hectares from which they source fruit, an important part is cultivated under the direct oversight of Laurent-Perrier. While the house has not yet implemented organic farming across its vineyard holdings, since 2018 their viticultural practices have shifted toward somewhat more thoughtful agronomy, with soils worked mostly by mechanical means. As is customary among many maisons, Laurent-Perrier does not impose agricultural methods upon its contracted growers, though it incentivizes more conscientious practices by offering premium pricing for certified fruit.
The house vinifies all its base wines exclusively in stainless steel at low temperatures. The wines undergo a comparatively brief élevage and invariably complete full malolactic fermentation. Of the 700 stainless steel tanks in use, some 300 are dedicated to reserve wines, which are stored by vintage, village and grape variety. The resulting style—anchored in Chardonnay—is elegant, racy and fresh, usually without tipping into austerity. “Usually,” because the large-scale Brut La Cuvée may occasionally strike some palates as somewhat meager.
As ever, Grand Siècle is composed from three vintages, drawn from up to 11 grands crus across the appellation, typically blending 30 to 50 individual vins clairs. Its varietal composition is adjusted in pursuit of harmony, and the result is a Champagne uniting primary and secondary aromatics into a cohesive whole, with a fleshy core of fruit yet rarely tipping into oxidation. This reflects the house’s aspiration to produce wines of freshness and structure capable of withstanding the test of time.
Signed with a gently reductive signature and finished with a dosage of six to seven grams per liter, Grand Siècle remains a dependable cuvée, capable of graceful evolution over more than two decades without succumbing to the oxidative proclivities that so often homogenize the aromatic range of mature Champagne. The late-disgorged Grand Siècle Les Réserves are older iterations that are rereleased exclusively in magnums at later stages of evolution after prolonged aging on the lees, extending well beyond the already-lengthy maturation of the standard magnums, which themselves are typically released some four years after their bottle-sized counterparts.
Published: Oct 02, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
100
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 243
Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Grande Cuvée N.26
Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Color
Sparkling
Country
France
Region
Champagne
Vintage
non-vintage
Download Shelftalker
This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96+
Drinking Window
2027 - 2042
From: 2025 Champagne: New Releases (Updated Nov 2025) (Apr 2025)
The NV Grande Cuvée Grand Siècle No. 26 is an elegant, sophisticated wine. The brighter side of Grand Siècle comes through nicely in the No. 26, a blend of vintages 2012, 2008 and 2007. Brisk acids cut through a core of citrus peel, white flowers, mint and chalk. Still very young, the No. 26 could benefit from a few more years in bottle. This is a terrific effort from Laurent Perrier that remains quite youthful and vibrant. Disgorged: September 2024.
- By Antonio Galloni on April 2025
96+
Drinking Window
2024 - 2039
From: Champagne: The 2024 Spring Preview and Fall Additions (Dec 2024)
The NV Grande Cuvée Grand Siècle No. 26 is exquisite. Light pastry notes, baked apple tart, lemon confit, spice and dried herbs are all beautifully amplified in a resonant, super-expressive Grand Siècle. All the elements are so well balanced. As good as the No. 26 is now, it is also incredibly young, with impressive weight, persistence and structure to age well for years. Today, it exudes texture and character, not to mention tons of class. Bright acids and floral overtones pull it all together on the palate-staining, saline finish. The blend is 60% 2012, 20% 2008 and 20% 2007.
- By Antonio Galloni on March 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Laurent Perrier was founded in 1812 and has been making unique champagne, praised for two hundred years. In 1812 Alphonse Pierlot from Chigny-les-Roses settled in Tours-sur-Marne on the vast vineyards called Plaisances and La Tour Glorieux. He started producing the first champagnes from the champagne house.
In 1881 Alphonse Pierlot's cellar master, Eugène Laurent, took over the company. Eugène and his wife, Mathilde-Emilie Perrier, led the champagne house together. After Eugene died in 1887, widow Mathilde took charge and renamed the champagne house: Veuve Laurent-Perrier & Cie. It is clear where the name of the champagne house came from: an amalgamation of the surnames of the widow and her deceased husband.
In 1914, the champagne house led by Mathilde produced the record-breaking number of 50,000 cases of champagne. During and after the First World War, the champagne house and the country were literally and figuratively under attack. Mathilde hired Alexander Fletcher Keith Mackenzie to broaden Laurent Perrier's market and also introduce champagne in England.
Eugenie Hortense Laurent inherited Laurent-Perrier after Mathilde died in 1925. Eugenie was unable to cope with the low sales after the First World War and just before the Second World War and sold the company to Marie Louise Lanson de Nonancourt.
The new owner of the champagne house was also confronted with the difficult economic conditions and was looking for a future for herself and her three sons. Her brothers Victor and Henri Lanson were champagne producers, and Marie Louise decided to put all her savings into Laurent Perrier, despite the champagne house almost going bankrupt. At one point, Marie Louise even had to hide the hundred thousand champagne bottles behind a wall, while her sons Mauice and Bernard fought in the war. Maurice, the oldest son to be taken over by Laurent-Perrier after the war, was captured during the war and died in Oranienburg (concentration camp). Despite this, the company survived World War II.
Marie Louise's second son, Bernard, eventually took over the company. Motivated thanks to his love of champagne and respect for his team, Bernard spent all his time building the champagne house with the slogan that "with quality wine and people you cannot fail". With the small team, he made Laurent Perrier one of the market leaders in the champagne market again, and this is where the road started from the company to its ultimate goal: the largest family business in the champagne market.
In 1950, Laurent Perrier was one of the first champagne houses to use stainless steel tanks in production.
In 1957 Laurent Perrier introduced the very first prestige cuvée ever made: a blend of great years of champagne called Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle La Cuvée. In 1968, the champagne house introduced the Cuvée Rosé Brut, made purely from Pinot Noir using the method called la méthode saignée, resulting in a complex and salmon-pink champagne.
In 1975 Alain Terrier Laurent Perriers became new cellar master, winemaker; in short: the genius behind the creation of Laurent Perrier's champagne. He ensured the innovation of the champagne house, without going against the customs and traditions of the region.
In 1980, Laurent Perrier was the first champagne house to re-market the extra-brut concept: Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut.
In 1987, as a wedding gift to his daughter Alexandra, Bernard de Nonancourt created a rosé millésimé made from only Pinot Noir from a family reserve, the Grand Siècle Alexandra Rosé 1982. The rosé millésimé became a must-have for connoisseurs and because of the great demand for the Laurent Perrier continued this limited production with champagne. The most recent limited edition of this cuvée was the Alexandra Rosé 1997.
All in all, Laurent Perrier has become one of the most famous champagne houses, despite being on the verge of bankruptcy and having to go through two wars. Today, the company is still owned by Bernard de Nonancourt and his daughters Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt also help in the family business. They will succeed their father after his death.
Laurent-Perrier and the philosophy behind Grand Siècle
Laurent-Perrier is one of the historic houses of Champagne and is known for an elegant, fresh style in which Chardonnay plays a prominent role. Since the 1950s, Grand Siècle has been the epitome of their vision: instead of a single vintage, they deliberately choose a blend of three exceptional years to create a cuvée that no single vintage can equal. The wine is composed of grands crus whose chalky soils, high altitude, and cool microclimate provide an ideal base for extended aging. Grand Siècle is only produced in vintages with sufficient tension, ripeness, and precision. The No. 26 version is a blend of 2012, 2008, and 2007 and is considered one of the most elegant editions of recent years.
The vineyards and the terroir
Grand Siècle is made from eight grands crus, among the finest in the Champagne region. The chalky soils bring tension, freshness, and structure, while the cool hillside location allows for the gradual ripening of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The estate has 150 hectares of its own vineyards, but also selects fruit from carefully managed plots that have worked with the estate for decades. The grapes are vinified exclusively in stainless steel tanks and always undergo full malolactic fermentation, ensuring the style retains clarity and precision without becoming harsh. The emphasis on Chardonnay creates tension and elegance, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and texture.
The blend of Grand Siècle N°26
No. 26 is composed of 58 percent Chardonnay and 42 percent Pinot Noir. The blend consists primarily of 2012 vintages, supplemented by the more structured 2008 vintage and the ripe, rounded 2007. This combination creates a Champagne with energy, opulence, and aromatic depth. The wine was aged on lees for ten years and was disgorged in 2023 with a dosage of seven grams per liter. This extended aging gave the wine a refined mousse, subtle brioche notes, and a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and mineral tension.
Vinification and style of the cuvée
As is customary for the house, N°26 is vinified entirely in stainless steel at a low temperature to preserve aromatic purity. The short ageing of the base wines emphasizes freshness, while the long maturation on the lees gradually adds texture, complexity, and depth. The dosage of seven grams per liter finishes the wine with a subtle roundness without disrupting its lively, elegant style. The reductive signature of Grand Siècle contributes to its ability to retain freshness and detail for decades. Critics appreciate N°26 for its softer, more refined character compared to N°27, with added elegance and length.
Color, aroma and taste of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°26
The color is a bright, delicate gold hue. The nose is complex and layered, with aromas of peach, candied pear, honey blossom, clementine, and subtle toasted bread. Later, nuances of ginger, nutmeg, tarte tatin, and a light saltiness emerge. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth, and extremely precise. The mousse is refined and precisely measured. The fruit is ripe yet fresh, supported by lively acidity and an energetic structure. The finish is long, elegant, and slightly salty, with a balance that invites repeated tasting. This cuvée is expressive yet never heavy, classic yet with modern clarity.
Would you like to order Laurent-Perrier wines online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairing advice for Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 26
Oysters with citrus and light vinaigrette
The wine's saltiness and lively acidity enhance the pure flavour of oysters.
Lobster with warm butter sauce and citrus notes
The creamy texture of lobster pairs perfectly with the soft mousse and layered complexity of Champagne.
Scallops with burnt butter and cauliflower cream
The subtle nuttiness and ripe fruit complement the delicate sweetness of the scallops.
Pike-perch with fennel and saffron
The elegant, fresh style of the wine adds tension to the spicy and aromatic elements of the dish.
Roasted chicken with tarragon and lemon
The creamy texture and fresh acidity of the cuvée form a harmonious combination with poultry and herbs.
Tarte tatin with soft vanilla
The brioche and fruit notes of Champagne pair surprisingly well with warm, caramelized apples.
| Available as of | Nov 11, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Winery | Laurent Perrier |
| Grape | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Drinking as of | 2022 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 12 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 96 |
| James Suckling rating | 100 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Iets te vieren, Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by:
Kristaps Karklins
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2042
Disgorged in 2023 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, the NV Grand Siècle N°26—a blend of the 2012, 2008 and 2007 vintages, with dominance from the youngest—continues its impressive trajectory. It opens with aromas of peach, candied pear and burnt buttered toast, mingling with clementine, honeysuckle and a hint of iodine. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, boasting a ripe yet vibrant fruit core underpinned by lively acidity and enlivened by a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a delicately saline finish. Described by Olivier Vigneron as “monolithic,” this iteration shows itself slightly more elegant than the N°27. Comprising 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, it too hails from eight villages.
Since Olivier Vigneron’s recent appointment as cellar master at Laurent-Perrier, I was eager to arrange a visit in Tours-sur-Marne with him—Vigneron being not only responsible for Laurent-Perrier but also for Salon and Delamotte, houses within the Laurent-Perrier Group. Naturally, the long interval between harvest and commercialization in Champagne means that, for some time, we will be still tasting the fruits of the long-serving former chef de caves, Michel Fauconnet.
Laurent-Perrier owns 150 hectares of vineyards, accounting for roughly 10% of their needs. Out of the 1,300 hectares from which they source fruit, an important part is cultivated under the direct oversight of Laurent-Perrier. While the house has not yet implemented organic farming across its vineyard holdings, since 2018 their viticultural practices have shifted toward somewhat more thoughtful agronomy, with soils worked mostly by mechanical means. As is customary among many maisons, Laurent-Perrier does not impose agricultural methods upon its contracted growers, though it incentivizes more conscientious practices by offering premium pricing for certified fruit.
The house vinifies all its base wines exclusively in stainless steel at low temperatures. The wines undergo a comparatively brief élevage and invariably complete full malolactic fermentation. Of the 700 stainless steel tanks in use, some 300 are dedicated to reserve wines, which are stored by vintage, village and grape variety. The resulting style—anchored in Chardonnay—is elegant, racy and fresh, usually without tipping into austerity. “Usually,” because the large-scale Brut La Cuvée may occasionally strike some palates as somewhat meager.
As ever, Grand Siècle is composed from three vintages, drawn from up to 11 grands crus across the appellation, typically blending 30 to 50 individual vins clairs. Its varietal composition is adjusted in pursuit of harmony, and the result is a Champagne uniting primary and secondary aromatics into a cohesive whole, with a fleshy core of fruit yet rarely tipping into oxidation. This reflects the house’s aspiration to produce wines of freshness and structure capable of withstanding the test of time.
Signed with a gently reductive signature and finished with a dosage of six to seven grams per liter, Grand Siècle remains a dependable cuvée, capable of graceful evolution over more than two decades without succumbing to the oxidative proclivities that so often homogenize the aromatic range of mature Champagne. The late-disgorged Grand Siècle Les Réserves are older iterations that are rereleased exclusively in magnums at later stages of evolution after prolonged aging on the lees, extending well beyond the already-lengthy maturation of the standard magnums, which themselves are typically released some four years after their bottle-sized counterparts.
Published: Oct 02, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
100
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 243
Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Grande Cuvée N.26
Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Color
Sparkling
Country
France
Region
Champagne
Vintage
non-vintage
Download Shelftalker
This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96+
Drinking Window
2027 - 2042
From: 2025 Champagne: New Releases (Updated Nov 2025) (Apr 2025)
The NV Grande Cuvée Grand Siècle No. 26 is an elegant, sophisticated wine. The brighter side of Grand Siècle comes through nicely in the No. 26, a blend of vintages 2012, 2008 and 2007. Brisk acids cut through a core of citrus peel, white flowers, mint and chalk. Still very young, the No. 26 could benefit from a few more years in bottle. This is a terrific effort from Laurent Perrier that remains quite youthful and vibrant. Disgorged: September 2024.
- By Antonio Galloni on April 2025
96+
Drinking Window
2024 - 2039
From: Champagne: The 2024 Spring Preview and Fall Additions (Dec 2024)
The NV Grande Cuvée Grand Siècle No. 26 is exquisite. Light pastry notes, baked apple tart, lemon confit, spice and dried herbs are all beautifully amplified in a resonant, super-expressive Grand Siècle. All the elements are so well balanced. As good as the No. 26 is now, it is also incredibly young, with impressive weight, persistence and structure to age well for years. Today, it exudes texture and character, not to mention tons of class. Bright acids and floral overtones pull it all together on the palate-staining, saline finish. The blend is 60% 2012, 20% 2008 and 20% 2007.
- By Antonio Galloni on March 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Laurent Perrier was founded in 1812 and has been making unique champagne, praised for two hundred years. In 1812 Alphonse Pierlot from Chigny-les-Roses settled in Tours-sur-Marne on the vast vineyards called Plaisances and La Tour Glorieux. He started producing the first champagnes from the champagne house.
In 1881 Alphonse Pierlot's cellar master, Eugène Laurent, took over the company. Eugène and his wife, Mathilde-Emilie Perrier, led the champagne house together. After Eugene died in 1887, widow Mathilde took charge and renamed the champagne house: Veuve Laurent-Perrier & Cie. It is clear where the name of the champagne house came from: an amalgamation of the surnames of the widow and her deceased husband.
In 1914, the champagne house led by Mathilde produced the record-breaking number of 50,000 cases of champagne. During and after the First World War, the champagne house and the country were literally and figuratively under attack. Mathilde hired Alexander Fletcher Keith Mackenzie to broaden Laurent Perrier's market and also introduce champagne in England.
Eugenie Hortense Laurent inherited Laurent-Perrier after Mathilde died in 1925. Eugenie was unable to cope with the low sales after the First World War and just before the Second World War and sold the company to Marie Louise Lanson de Nonancourt.
The new owner of the champagne house was also confronted with the difficult economic conditions and was looking for a future for herself and her three sons. Her brothers Victor and Henri Lanson were champagne producers, and Marie Louise decided to put all her savings into Laurent Perrier, despite the champagne house almost going bankrupt. At one point, Marie Louise even had to hide the hundred thousand champagne bottles behind a wall, while her sons Mauice and Bernard fought in the war. Maurice, the oldest son to be taken over by Laurent-Perrier after the war, was captured during the war and died in Oranienburg (concentration camp). Despite this, the company survived World War II.
Marie Louise's second son, Bernard, eventually took over the company. Motivated thanks to his love of champagne and respect for his team, Bernard spent all his time building the champagne house with the slogan that "with quality wine and people you cannot fail". With the small team, he made Laurent Perrier one of the market leaders in the champagne market again, and this is where the road started from the company to its ultimate goal: the largest family business in the champagne market.
In 1950, Laurent Perrier was one of the first champagne houses to use stainless steel tanks in production.
In 1957 Laurent Perrier introduced the very first prestige cuvée ever made: a blend of great years of champagne called Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle La Cuvée. In 1968, the champagne house introduced the Cuvée Rosé Brut, made purely from Pinot Noir using the method called la méthode saignée, resulting in a complex and salmon-pink champagne.
In 1975 Alain Terrier Laurent Perriers became new cellar master, winemaker; in short: the genius behind the creation of Laurent Perrier's champagne. He ensured the innovation of the champagne house, without going against the customs and traditions of the region.
In 1980, Laurent Perrier was the first champagne house to re-market the extra-brut concept: Laurent Perrier Ultra Brut.
In 1987, as a wedding gift to his daughter Alexandra, Bernard de Nonancourt created a rosé millésimé made from only Pinot Noir from a family reserve, the Grand Siècle Alexandra Rosé 1982. The rosé millésimé became a must-have for connoisseurs and because of the great demand for the Laurent Perrier continued this limited production with champagne. The most recent limited edition of this cuvée was the Alexandra Rosé 1997.
All in all, Laurent Perrier has become one of the most famous champagne houses, despite being on the verge of bankruptcy and having to go through two wars. Today, the company is still owned by Bernard de Nonancourt and his daughters Alexandra Pereyre de Nonancourt and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt also help in the family business. They will succeed their father after his death.
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