Although originally founded in 1812, the name Champagne Laurent-Perrier was not conceived until 1964. 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 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 multi-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 alongside Cellar Master Michel Fauconnet and has become one of the region's largest producers, they are perhaps best known for Cuvée Rosé, the most recognised rosé champagne on the planet. Since 2020 Alexandra's daughter, Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt has taken on the global role of Brand Ambassador for Grand Siècle.

The idea of Grand Siècle was born from a simple observation: that nature would never provide the perfect oenological year, but that thanks to the art of assemblage, Laurent-Perrier could in fact create it. Always a blend of three exceptional vintages that perfectly complement each other, Grand Siècle was launched in 1959 as a blend of 1952, 1953 and 1955. One year is chosen for structure, one for finesse and one for freshness, creating a unique combination of power and balance from wines of the very best vintages. The grape juice is fermented in 100% stainless-steel tanks as Laurent-Perrier very much believe in keeping the juice away from oxygen and protecting those floral aromatics. Iteration is blended from 11 Grands Crus. From June 2019, L-P introduced 'Iterations' to identify the blend of Grand Siécle. This is the 25th time since 1959 the house has launched a blend of Grand Siécle.

Iteration 25 is based on the highly regarded vintages of 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%), the highest percentage of Chardonnay (60%) ever used in an Iteration (55% for Iteration 24 and 58% for Iteration 23) and from a selection of 9 Grand Crus.

Weather: 2008: a vintage noted for its structure with high quality Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs revealing an oustanding aromatic richness.
2007: a vintage noted for its freshness, the Chardonnays are complex with aromas of white fruits and citrus and the Pinots Noirs open and fruity with a dominance of yellow fruit.
2006: a vintage noted for its finesse with rich, complex Chardonnays and Pinots
Noirs with red fruit aromas.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Chardonnay: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Bouzy, Louvois, Mailly, Tours-sur-Marne, Verzenay
Grape Varieties: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
Lees Ageing: 12 years
Dosage: 7 g/l
Disgorged: October 2021
Drink: Now to 2040

Tasting Note: 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.