Among the many Champagne houses that balance intellectual rigour with pure pleasure, Laurent-Perrier stands confidently at the top of the pyramid. For the holiday season, two cuvées in particular capture my attention, both for celebratory exuberance and contemplative depth: Grand Siècle No. 26 and Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. Each expresses a different philosophy of luxury – one built on time, precision, and layered complexity, the other on immediacy, purity of fruit, and joy. Together, they form an ideal festive pairing.
About Champagne Laurent-Perrier
The house known today as Laurent-Perrier traces its origins to 1812, when André-Michel Pierlot, a cooper and bottler from Chigny-les-Roses, established his enterprise in the Grand Cru village of Tours-sur-Marne. His acquisition of vineyard parcels known as Les Plaisances and La Tour Glorieux laid the viticultural foundations for what would become one of Champagne’s most influential independent houses.
Over the course of the 20th century, particularly under the visionary leadership of Bernard de Nonancourt, Laurent-Perrier evolved from a respected regional producer into a global Grande Marque, exporting to more than 140 countries. The house became synonymous with freshness, elegance, and technical innovation, pioneering the use of stainless-steel fermentation and challenging conventions with non-dosé and rosé Champagnes produced by maceration.
Today, Laurent-Perrier remains a family-owned business, continuing to strike a balance between heritage and modernity. Its stylistic identity is unmistakable: Champagne is defined not by power alone, but by finesse, clarity, and restraint.
Tasting Notes
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 26
This prestige multi-vintage cuvée is composed of three exceptional years rather than a single declared vintage. Predominantly Chardonnay, complemented by Pinot Noir, it is sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards.
Grand Siècle is built on Laurent-Perrier’s philosophy of creating a “perfect vintage in a bottle.” Extended lees ageing in chalk cellars allows the wine to develop extraordinary depth while preserving freshness. It rewards both patient cellaring and thoughtful immediate enjoyment.
Tasting Profile
On opening, the nose is refined and expressive: brioche, toasted almonds, hazelnut, warm pastry, honeyed nuances, and citrus peel. With time in the glass, additional layers emerge, including candied citrus, white flowers, gentle spice, gingerbread, and a finely etched mineral line. The palate is rich yet controlled, with a creamy, seamless mousse and remarkable balance between acidity and depth. Flavours of toasted nuts, brioche, citrus zest, and subtle stone fruit unfold toward a long, mineral-driven finish. The impression is confident, complex, and quietly powerful.
This Champagne is for slow contemplation and refined holiday meals such as white truffle, veal, fine poultry, or a perfectly roasted turkey. Grand Siècle No. 26 doesn’t shout; it resonates.
97 Points
Liz Palmer
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé
This non-vintage rosé Champagne is made from 100% Pinot Noir, produced using the saignée (maceration) method, rather than blending in red wine. This technique preserves purity, structure, and aromatic precision.
Vinified with meticulous attention to aromatic clarity, the wine reflects Laurent-Perrier’s hallmark freshness and technical precision. Stainless-steel fermentation and careful lees management deliver intensity without heaviness.
Tasting Profile
In the glass, a delicate salmon-petal hue with fine, energetic mousse. Aromatically vivid, offering freshly crushed raspberries, wild strawberries, red currant, and hints of cherry, accented by subtle florals and a whisper of brioche. On the palate, the texture is silky and rounded, with bright red-berry flavours leading into gentle creaminess, a light mineral edge, and a refreshing, balanced finish.
Charming, expressive, and endlessly versatile, this cuvée rosé shines as an aperitif and pairs effortlessly with seafood, lighter holiday dishes, or even spicy cuisine. It’s festive energy in a glass.
94 Points
Liz Palmer
Wine Tourism
Laurent-Perrier’s headquarters and principal vineyards are located in Tours-sur-Marne, in the heart of Champagne. Its prestigious Château de Louvois, a 17th-century estate associated with Grand Siècle, reinforces the house’s connection to heritage and grandeur. The château’s Orangery, restored in 2023 and awarded the Pierre Cheval Prize, reflects ongoing investment in cultural preservation.
Laurent-Perrier maintains a discreet, curated visitor policy. While public tours are not guaranteed, select visits—often for trade or VIPs—offer access to some of Champagne’s most extensive cellars. In the context of Champagne’s tourism boom following UNESCO designation, Laurent-Perrier appears strategically positioned for high-end, heritage-driven experiences rather than mass visitation.
Reflections: Why Laurent-Perrier Still Matters in 2025
Laurent-Perrier occupies a rare space in Champagne: intellectually serious, technically innovative, yet emotionally accessible. Its willingness to challenge tradition, while respecting it, has shaped a style that is fresh, refined, and enduring. In an era where wine tourism increasingly values authenticity and cultural depth, Laurent-Perrier’s quiet confidence and curated approach feel not only relevant but refreshingly modern.
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