LAURENT-PERRIER
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE 2015
WHY BUY: This centuries-old house is operating at the very peak of its considerable powers, and this quartet of Champagnes (including a rare 99-pointer and a 97+-pointer, and two back vintages) is not just a fantastic opportunity to stock your cellar with wines that are guaranteed to turn any occasion into an event — it's a thrilling and visceral reminder of the greatness that is Laurent-Perrier. This is as crystalline and creamy as Champagne gets, folks, a testament to their wonderfully stubborn, time-honored methods: privileging Chardonnay over Pinot Noir in the final mix, giving the wines extended time to age on the lees in their ancient chalk cellars, and, above all, blending with a sensitivity and grace that is second to no one.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling honored the Alexandra Rosé 2012 with a near-perfect 99 points, declaring it “fascinating”: "smoky and complex yet subtle" with "fine bubbles and lots of flavor but tight and focused, giving it positive energy, tension and great length." The Wine Advocate was nearly as swept away by the Grand Siecle Itération 24 Magnum, awarding 97+ points for its "complex, deep bouquet of white flowers, confit citrus, mirabelle, spices, menthol and warm biscuits," calling it a "full-bodied, enveloping and fleshy Champagne" with "a long, endless and ethereal finish." Suckling also reviewed the Héritage Brut ("more depth than Laurent-Perrier's La Cuvée ... subtle, pretty transparency") and the 2015 Millésimé ("very structured with a density and richness ... special character because of the very ripe vintage”), granting each 95 points.
OUR TASTING NOTES: Ten years on the lees has transformed the Alexandra Rosé 2012 into something that dances between wild strawberries and warm brioche, with a smoky depth that adds gravitas to what could have been merely pretty. A massive triumph. The Grand Siecle Itération 24 Magnum is Laurent-Perrier's love letter to the art of blending: the 2007, 2006, and 2004 vintages are all woven together into something so seamless and silken that for a long moment you’re stunned into submission. We loved the notes of honeyed brioche and wet limestone, and of course the persistence that makes you understand why magnums exist in the first place. As for the 2015 Millésimé—well, when you get a vintage as gloriously ripe as 2015, you get Champagne that tastes like golden apples and burnt sugar. The finish lingers like the memory of a perfect summer day.
THE STORY: The transformation of this estate—and hence, the modern era—began just after World War II, when Bernard de Nonancourt arrived at this early 1800s-founded house in 1948 and essentially reinvented what Laurent-Perrier could be. De Nonancourt understood something fundamental: innovation doesn't mean abandoning tradition; it means understanding tradition so deeply you can transcend it. His insight was counterintuitive but brilliant: in a region obsessed with Pinot Noir, he doubled down on Chardonnay, creating a house style that was simultaneously richer and more precise than anyone thought possible. The strategy worked because de Nonancourt grasped the long game. He built a foundation and devised a process: those ancient chalk cellars that maintain perfect aging conditions, extended lees contact that builds complexity without weight, and blending protocols that treat each cuvée as a symphony rather than a simple mix. Today, under the leadership of his daughters Alexandra and Stéphanie, Laurent-Perrier continues this tradition of — let’s call it informed rebellion.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: In our book, these are Champagnes that need no accompaniment; they’re so creamy and mesmerizing that they constitute an experience unto themselves. However: oysters (on the halfshell, and with a splash of mignonette) will make for a sublime partner, as will caviar.
FUN FACT: Before he took over the estate, de Nonancourt was a tank commander for the French Army and took part in the raid and capture of Eagle’s Nest, in Berchtesgaden, where, among other things, he and his men unearthed a stash of 500,000 bottles of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and ship directly from the estate to ensure pristine provenance. Secure your bottles and cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, KY, IL, IN, MA, MI, MO, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.