Laurent-Perrier Brut Vintage 2018 Champagne

Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2018: The technical expression of a unique vintage

Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2018 is a wine of character, crafted from a rigorous selection of the region’s most prestigious vineyards. This cuvée reflects the specific climatic characteristics of 2018, marked by optimal temperature conditions that allowed the grapes to reach full ripeness.

Terroir and Energetic Expertise

The House of Laurent-Perrier applies strict standards to its Brut Millésimé 2018: it is produced only in exceptional years, when the quality of the grapes suggests a long ageing potential. The blend consists of equal parts: 50% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and 50% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims.

The geological composition of the subsoil, consisting mainly of belemnite chalk, gives the wine a precise mineral structure. Vinification is carried out using the traditional method, with extended ageing in the cellars at Tours-sur-Marne to encourage yeast autolysis and the development of aromatic complexity. The dosage is adjusted to respect the natural balance of the 2018 harvest.

Sensory Profile: Technical Analysis

The organoleptic examination of Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2018 Champagne reveals distinct characteristics:

• Appearance: A clear visual appearance, enhanced by consistent golden highlights and fine, regular effervescence.
• Nose: The initial nose is marked by a mineral intensity, evolving towards notes of white fruit (peach, pear) – fruit that is at once young, juicy and fresh – and a subtle pastry-like dimension linked to ageing on the lees.
• Palate: A clean attack giving way to a full-bodied, structured and satisfying texture. A rich wine, the aromatic persistence is supported by measured acidity, which will increase its complexity in several years’ time, typical of this sunny vintage, offering a finish reminiscent of apple tart.

Serving Advice and Food Pairings

For optimal appreciation of the aromatic components, this Vintage Brut should be served at a constant temperature of between 10°C and 12°C. A tulip-shaped glass is recommended to allow the wine’s structure to unfold.

In terms of food pairing, this champagne pairs well with dense textures and briny flavours. It complements fine fish such as sea bass or line-caught sole perfectly, as well as delicately prepared white meats. Its structure also allows it to complement the fatty characteristics of certain hard-rind cheeses, such as a matured Comté.

Why choose Laurent-Perrier’s 2018 Vintage?

This wine stands out for its balanced blend (50/50), which combines the finesse of Chardonnay with the power of Pinot Noir. Unlike non-vintage blends, this cuvée captures the geological and climatic characteristics of a single harvest, guaranteeing a unique identity and a particularly interesting potential for development in the cellar, making it especially appealing to collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the exact composition of Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2018 Champagne? It consists of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards.
• What is the ageing potential of this cuvée? Thanks to its technical vinification and its acid-sugar balance, this vintage can be stored in a temperature-controlled cellar for several years.
• Why does Laurent-Perrier not produce a vintage every year? The House selects only those harvests with superior ripeness and analytical profiles to produce its Brut Millésimé.
• What is the dosage of this champagne? The dosage is Brut-style, calibrated to highlight the freshness of the 2018 vintage without masking its mineral characteristics.
• Where do the Pinot Noirs in this blend come from? The Pinot Noirs are rigorously selected from the terroirs of the Montagne de Reims.
• How should the bottle be stored before tasting? It is essential to keep the bottle in a horizontal position, away from light, in an environment with a stable temperature (around 12°C).