97/100
William Kelley
“A blend of the 2008, 2007 and 2006 vintages, with fully 55% deriving from 2008, Laurent-Perrier's NV Brut Grand Siècle #25 is coming into its own today, bursting from the glass with scents of nectarine, pear, orange oil and confit citrus mingled with notions of buttery pastry, brioche, iodine, dried white flowers and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, with a fleshy core of fruit girdled by racy acids and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse, it's seamless and harmonious, concluding with a long, penetrating finish.”
18+/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Particularly intense now with hints of hazelnuts on the nose and masses of acidity still on the palate. Marked citrus notes and still a little chewy. Admirably persistent but still quite youthful.
Drink 2023–2033”
18.5/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Delicate and lively with a characteristic citrus thread running through it. Still tight but it opened out nicely in the glass. Seriously appetising and complex with a biscuity note on the finish. A really serious wine with explosive, tiny bubbles. This could stand up to food but it does demand attention and I'd almost be tempted to concentrate on the wine alone – the most luxurious aperitif?”
96/100
Essi Avellan
“This is one of the finest iterations of Grand Siècle. As much as 65% of the blend comes from the fabulous, slowly ageing 2008 vintage, complemented by 25% from the great Chardonnay year of 2007 and a dash of the voluptuous 2006. There is a fresh, youthfully fruity nose of sweet lime, ripe peach, mirabelle plums and chalk. Laurent-Perrier's hallmark stylish toastiness is present in the most elegant of ways. The combination of the predominance of a cool year and the high proportion of Chardonnay (60%, the highest share ever) brings such finesse and tension to this iteration. The mousse is impressively creamy, yet the palate is invigorating and energetic. Really intense but linear and driven, taking time so well even in a 75cl bottle. Dosage 7g/l”
96 → 98/100
Essi Avellan MW
“My expectations were high for this blend that comes with a majority of 2008. As high a proportion as 65%, in fact. It gets complimented by 25% of the great Chardonnay year 2007 and a dash of the voluptuous 2006. Crisp Chardonnay notes dominate the pure and youthful nose of lime, peach and chalk, which comes with stylish restraint and delicate toasty layers. The combination of predominance a cool year and high proportion of Chardonnay (60%, the highest share ever!), bring such finesse and tension to this Iteration, that I am immediately taking it amongst my all time favourites. The mousse is impressively creamy yet invigorating and the style seemingly long-ageing and tight. If it is this fine in 75cl bottles, I cannot wait to taste its grandeur in magnums!”
96/100
William Kelley
“Laurent-Perrier's imminently released NV Brut Grand Siècle #25 is showing beautifully, unwinding in the glass with an incipiently complex bouquet of pear, crisp stone fruit and mandarin mingled with hints of smoke, buttered toast and dried white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with a fleshy core of fruit, terrific concentration and a racy spine of acidity, it's a deep, comparatively structured wine that will evolve beautifully in the cellar. As I've written before, this iteration is a blend of the 2008, 2007 and 2006 vintages, with 2008 lending #25 its depth and structure, 2007 contributing additional cut and 2006 additional richness. While the #25 exemplifies the seamless charm of this bottling, it's also one of the best propositions for long-term cellaring among recent renditions of Grand Siècle, and it will really reward time on cork”
99/100
James Suckling
“Incredible aromas of apple skin, pie crust, praline and flowers. So young in the nose.Full-bodied with super-fine tannins. It’s tight and refined, yet structured and intense. Really long and beautiful. Still shy. Wonderful finish. 12 years on its lees before disgorging. Three vintages in the blend – 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%). 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. It’s the highest percentage of Chardonnay ever.”
18.5+/20
Nick Baker
“Just a hint of reductive charm and there is real intensity to the fruit; rich & ripe lemon sherbet, ripe pear, yellow plum and a twist of dried grass. You really see the Chardonnay dominance, 60% and the red fruits are currently quite subdued. The palate is a mix of racy freshness from the acidity and soft texture from its long time on the lees and such lightness and delicacy to finish with a twist of salinity and dosage at 7 g/l seems perfectly integrated. Like many 2008’s this has great purity to the fruit. 65% 2008, 25% 2007 & 10% 2006”
94/100
Antonio Galloni
“The NV Brut Grande Cuvée Grand Siècle No. 25 is bright and gracious in feel. Orchard fruit, mint, dried flowers, lemon peel, graphite and chamomile are beautifully lifted. The No. 25 is fresh and taut, but also has enough fruit to be approachable now. The blend of vintages - 2008 (60%), 2007 (20%), 2006 (20%) - is quite complementary. I liked the No. 25 more from magnum, but then again, Champagne often shows so well in larger formats. ”
17.5/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“The 25th iteration of Laurent-Perrier's de luxe cuvée, always a blend of different vintages in their quest to make the perfect champagne. Deep gold with the tiniest bead. Very pungently aromatic and with a texture as smooth as silk. Utterly luxurious. Slides over the palate with an undertow of surprisingly ripe Chardonnay. I'd drink this with a sophisticated fish dish, perhaps with a rich sauce. I love the gentlest of explosions on the palate. Surely this has a lower-than-average pressure? Very long. But it is not recommended for those who like their champagne on the austere side. This is to be launched in late 2021 but it tastes as though it was already gorgeous in 2020.”