Focus On
Grand siècle
Preambule
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 vision
When Bernard de Nonancourt inherited the House from his mother in 1948 he held the ambition to position Laurent-Perrier at the highest level by creating a unique “Grande Cuvée”. By observing Nature, it became apparent that a Vintage even when exceptional, was not able to reach the perfection he sought. In Champagne each vintage is different, revealing various characteristics and styles.
Through the “Art of blending”, Bernard de Nonancourt realised that he could
bring together these differing attributes and use their complementarity in
order to create the perfection he dreamt of.
Grand Siècle was
founded upon this unique idea in 1959: to recreate the perfect year, the one
that Nature, on its own, cannot provide.
The expression of 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.
The principles
To reach this expression, Grand Siècle’s assemblage is based on principles that have now become immutable:
- Three exceptional years, complementary in character are chosen from among the rare Laurent-Perrier vintages.
- A majority of Chardonnay complemented by Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from a maximum of 11 Grands Crus within the 319 Crus of the Champagne region.
- A minimum of 10 years ageing on lees in our cellars for bottles (75cl) and longer for magnums (150cl), thus delaying their release by a few years.
Time and patience
Whenever possible, the House has worked to recreate through each iteration, that is with each new blend of Grand Siècle, the perfect year. Each iteration requires patience and time before being revealed: patience to wait for the appropriate exceptional vintage years and the time on lees necessary to reach the desired harmony and aromatic complexity.
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.
Beyond rare vintages
the perfect year
Iteration N°26
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.
The cool, sunny summer produced complex, well-structured wines for an outstanding vintage with high quality Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs revealing exceptional aromatic richness.
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.
58% Chardonnay from: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant, Avize.
42% Pinot Noir from: Tours-sur-Marne, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzy.
10 years ageing on lees for 75 cl bottles.
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Nº252008, 2007, 2006
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Nº242007, 2006, 2004
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Nº232006, 2004, 2002
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Nº222004, 2002, 1999
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Nº212002, 1999, 1997
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Nº201999, 1997, 1996
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Nº191997, 1996, 1995
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Nº181996, 1995, 1993
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Nº171995, 1993, 1990
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Nº161993, 1990, 1988
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Nº151990, 1988, 1985
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Nº141988, 1985, 1982
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Nº131985, 1982, 1979
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Nº121982, 1979, 1976
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Nº111979, 1976, 1975
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Nº101976, 1975, 1973
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Nº91975, 1973, 1970
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Nº81973, 1970, 1969
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Nº71970, 1969, 1966
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Nº61969, 1966, 1964
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Nº51966, 1964, 1961
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Nº41964, 1961, 1959
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Nº31961, 1959, 1955
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Nº21959, 1955, 1953
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Nº11955, 1953, 1952
The origin
of the name
Le “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.
