The Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle is a champagne that’s all about blending the best vintages, and it does it with a flair that speaks to the heritage and craft behind it. It’s a pretty special bottle, the kind of champagne that is all about precision and consistency, yet always brings something fresh with each release.
Laurent-Perrier is a house with a lot of history, founded in 1812, but it’s Grand Siècle, introduced in 1959, that really took them into a different league. The idea behind it was to create the perfect expression of champagne by blending three exceptional vintages rather than sticking to just one year’s harvest. They don’t use any lesser grapes, though. It’s all Grand Cru vineyards, which are considered the best, and from only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is traditional for some of the finest champagnes.
When you pop open a bottle of Grand Siècle, you’re not just getting one champagne but a blend that aims to mimic a “perfect year.” It’s like an orchestra of different elements all coming together to create harmony. The team at Laurent-Perrier selects three complementary years, all from vintages that are considered exceptional. They age them for a minimum of eight years, but often longer, which adds a lot of depth and complexity to the champagne. This multi-vintage approach is relatively rare in the world of champagne, where most prestige cuvées are single-vintage.
The bottle itself makes a statement before you even get to the contents. It’s inspired by the grandeur of the 17th century, when Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, reigned in France. That’s where the name Grand Siècle comes from—the “Great Century.” It was a period of opulence and artistic flourishing, which Laurent-Perrier aims to mirror in its champagne.
What’s inside the bottle lives up to the packaging. On the nose, it’s a blend of toasted brioche, almond, and subtle hints of citrus. The palate is rich but not overwhelming, with notes of honey, candied fruits, and a nice minerality that keeps everything balanced. The finish is long, leaving behind a sense of freshness that makes you want to go back for more. It’s not a champagne you rush through but something you take your time with, appreciating each layer as it reveals itself.
One of the key things that makes Grand Siècle stand out is its consistency. Champagne can be tricky—there are a lot of variables from year to year, and not every vintage is going to be great. But with Grand Siècle, they’ve cracked the code on how to make something exceptional, no matter the individual conditions of a particular year. By blending the best of the best from three different harvests, they smooth out any inconsistencies, so you’re always getting something that’s top-notch.
That said, each iteration of Grand Siècle still has its own personality. The cellar master will adjust the blend slightly depending on the vintages used. So, while you can always expect elegance and balance, one release might lean more into the citrus notes, while another might emphasise the richer, toasted flavours. It’s like listening to different recordings of the same symphony—each one brings out new nuances.
It’s worth mentioning the food pairing potential with Grand Siècle as well. This isn’t just something to sip on its own, though it’s certainly good enough for that. It pairs beautifully with dishes like lobster, white truffle, or even a well-aged cheese. It’s a versatile champagne that can stand up to rich, decadent foods without being overshadowed.
Laurent-Perrier’s commitment to this multi-vintage philosophy has paid off. Grand Siècle has earned a reputation as one of the finest champagnes on the market, competing with heavy hitters like Dom Pérignon and Krug. But what sets it apart is that unique blend of vintages. They’ve mastered the art of creating a champagne that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
If you ever get a chance to visit Laurent-Perrier’s headquarters in Tours-sur-Marne, you’ll see that the care they put into their vineyards and their cellars mirrors the attention to detail that goes into every bottle of Grand Siècle. It’s a champagne that represents the house’s philosophy perfectly: tradition meets innovation, and the result is something that feels timeless.
So, if you’re thinking about splashing out on a bottle for a special occasion, Grand Siècle is the kind of champagne that’s going to elevate the experience. It’s not just about having a glass of bubbly—it’s about drinking something that’s been crafted with an incredible amount of skill, knowledge, and a touch of artistic flair.
