Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV

In May 2018, Laurent-Perrier announced the release of a brand new champagne: Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV. Being a Chardonnay-dominant house, it was only a matter of time before Laurent-Perrier launched an all-Chardonnay cuvée. Notably, the champagne is a Brut Nature (zero dosage was added post-disgorgement), making it the only Grande Marque Blanc de Blancs with no dosage.

The first release is based on equal proportions of the 2012 and 2013 vintages. The high 40% reserve wine content contains wine from several previous vintages, with a significant contribution from 2009. Both the base and reserve wines originate from the same Grand and Premier Cru vineyards: Chouilly and Cramant from the Côte des Blancs and Villers-Marmery from the Montagne de Reims.

News Article: Read more about the launch of new Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV here.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Côte des Blancs: Chouilly & Cramant, Montagne de Reims: Villers-Marmery
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Base Vintage: 2012 and 2013
Reserve Wine: 40%
Ageing: 4 years on the lees
Dosage: 0 g/l

Tasting Note: Has initial Chardonnay aromatics, some small hints of evolution on the nose and lots of ripe apples and an underlying layer of chalkiness. The palate has the freshness, the chalk and the ripe apples show again with hints of mango, pineapple with nice layers of spice. Seems very balanced, not crying out for attention.

Although originally founded in 1812, the name Champagne Laurent-Perrier was not conceived until 1964. After changing hands through several deaths and marriages, it was Bernard de Nonancourt who initiated Laurent-Perrier's rise to world fame. One of Champagne's most important figures in the 20th century, he officially took over in 1948 after a three-year apprenticeship at the Houses of Delamotte and Lanson. In his 62-year tenure, production grew from just 80,000 bottles annually to over eight million. Under de Nonancourt, Laurent-Perrier were the first House to use stainless-steel vats and the first House to create both a zero dosage champagne (Ultra Brut) and a non-vintage prestige cuvée (Grand Siècle).

Sadly, de Nonancourt passed away in 2010 and Laurent-Perrier is now managed by his two daughters, Alexandra and Stéphanie. The production style is elegant, Chardonnay-driven, pure and fruit-forward and current Cellar Master Dominique Demarville believes strictly in minimising oxidation. Indeed, Laurent-Perrier are one of the most reductive in style, serving to enhance their fruity expression and smoky complexity. Now one of the region's largest producers, they are perhaps best known for Cuvée Rosé, the most recognised rosé champagne on the planet.

Cellar Master: Dominique Demarville
Winery Location: Tours-sur-Marne | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Vallée de la Marne
Annual Production (bottles): 7,500,000