Laurent-PerrierVintageReserveRecentlyDisgorged2004Magnum

Founded in 1812, Champagne Laurent-Perrier remained a modest producer until Bernard de Nonancourt transformed it into one of the world’s most celebrated Champagne Houses. A towering figure in 20th-century Champagne, he became CEO in 1948 after a three-year apprenticeship at Delamotte and Lanson. Over his remarkable 62-year tenure, production expanded from 80,000 to more than eight million bottles.rrDe Nonancourt was a visionary innovator: Laurent-Perrier was the first House to adopt stainless-steel vats, to create a zero-dosage champagne (Ultra Brut), and to pioneer a multi-vintage prestige cuvée (Grand Siècle). Following his passing in 2010, the House has remained family-led under his daughters, Alexandra Pereyre and Stéphanie Meneux de Nonancourt, who appointed Stéphane Dalyac as CEO in 2014. In 2019, Alexandra’s eldest daughter, Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt, joined the business to represent Grand Siècle around the world.rrToday, Laurent-Perrier stands among Champagne’s largest producers and is best known for its iconic Cuvée Rosé â€?the most recognised rosé champagne in the world. The House’s distinctive style is defined by freshness, purity, and precision, with a light reductive twist and elegant character its wines age with exceptional grace.rrLaurent-Perrier make vintages very rarely, only selecting the very best years. This makes their Brut Millésimé a rare and outstanding champagne that expresses clearly the specific character of each vintage in the Laurent-Perrier style. This 2004 recently disgorged is part of a trio released in Autumn 2025, also along with 2006 and 2002 all with at least 18 years on lees.This longer time on lees gives them amazing texture and relatively youthful fruit expression and are just a delight to drink.rrWeather: The 2004 vintage saw an initial winter of mild temperatures with intermittent storms and hail. The spring and summer months were hot and sunny and the sugar levels late in September produced good quality fruits, especially for the Pinot Noir grapes. A huge harvest in general for the region. Overall many experts believe that 2004 is one of the greatest vintages of the last two decades.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Chardonnay: Avize, Cramant, Oger, Chouilly | Pinot Noir: Verzy, Mailly, Ambonnay and BouzyrGrape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot NoirrLees Ageing: 20 yearsrDosage: 6 g/lrDisgorged: May 2025rDrink: Now to 2033rrTasting Note: Deep honeyed gold. Clearly fully mature with a deep, resonant, somehow mineral/burnished metal nose. Very serious. A rich start but a super-appetising dry finish. Complex with a note of lime and yet richness too. Utterly beguiling. Long. Just the right amount of appetising mousse. â€?Tasted by Jancis Robinson MW