Focus
Grand siècle

Preamble

Grand Siècle was born from the vision of one man, Bernard de Nonancourt: to recreate what Nature alone will never give us - the perfect year.

While vintage in Champagne is generally seen as a synonym for excellence in Prestige Cuvées, at Laurent-Perrier, we believe that the art of blending can achieve a level of perfection greater than any single year can offer.

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 developed deep aromatic intensity, while successfully preserving its freshness and acidity over time, ensuring remarkable ageing potential.

THE PRINCIPLES

To achieve this expression, Grand Siècle's assemblage is based on 3 principles:

  • Three exceptional years are selected for their unique character and their ability to guide the blend toward the expression of the perfect year.
  • A majority of Chardonnay complemented by Pinot Noir, sourced from up to 11 Grands Crus selected among the 319 Crus of Champagne.
  • Extended ageing on lees: 10 years for the 75 cl bottle, and several more years for the Magnum (150 cl).

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 rare exceptional years and the time on lees necessary to reach the desired harmony and aromatic complexity. Due to the format, Grand Siècle in Magnum (150 cl) 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 27 times in bottle format and 24 times in Magnum.

Recreating
the perfect year

Itération N°27

BLEND OF THE YEARS
2015 (65%)

The year was marked by extreme weather events. A mild, rainy winter gave way to a spring of contrasts, with a cold snap followed by intense heat, and a stormy summer. The cool, dry conditions in September allowed an ideal grape ripening. The Chardonnays are ripe, with yellow fruit aromas, while the Pinots Noirs are opulent and rich.

2013 (25%)

A harsh winter was followed by a cold spring, resulting in a late budburst. The summer brought intense heat and record sunshine. From September, the weather turned very autumnal, leading to slow ripening. Harvest stretched from late September to mid-October, a rare occurrence in the past 20 years. The Chardonnays offer natural freshness and remarkable balance. The Pinots Noirs are delicate and restrained.

2012 (10%)

Winter and spring frosts reduced the yield potential early on. Spring rains were offset by a beautiful summer, resulting in wines of great finesse. The Chardonnays are elegant and well-balanced, and the Pinots Noirs show red fruit aromas.

8 Grands Crus

60% Chardonnay from: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant.

40% Pinot Noir from: Tours-sur-Marne, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzy.

Ageing

10 years of ageing on lees in a 75 cl bottle.

Other iterations
  • Nº26
    2012, 2008, 2007
  • Nº25
    2008, 2007, 2006
  • Nº24
    2007, 2006, 2004
  • Nº23
    2006, 2004, 2002
  • Nº22
    2004, 2002, 1999
  • Nº21
    2002, 1999, 1997
  • Nº20
    1999, 1997, 1996
  • Nº19
    1997, 1996, 1995
  • Nº18
    1996, 1995, 1993
  • Nº17
    1995, 1993, 1990
  • Nº16
    1993, 1990, 1988
  • Nº15
    1990, 1988, 1985
  • Nº14
    1988, 1985, 1982
  • Nº13
    1985, 1982, 1979
  • Nº12
    1982, 1979, 1976
  • Nº11
    1979, 1976, 1975
  • Nº10
    1976, 1975, 1973
  • Nº9
    1975, 1973, 1970
  • Nº8
    1973, 1970, 1969
  • Nº7
    1970, 1969, 1966
  • Nº6
    1969, 1966, 1964
  • Nº5
    1966, 1964, 1961
  • Nº4
    1964, 1961, 1959
  • Nº3
    1961, 1959, 1955
  • Nº2
    1959, 1955, 1953
  • Nº1
    1955, 1953, 1952

The origin
of the name

Le “Grand Siècle“ (Great Century) is the name given to one of the most prosperous periods (seventeenth century) in the history of France known for the capacity of man, through his works, to create what Nature cannot. Louis XIV, 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.