Laurent-Perrier, Grand Siecle Grande Cuvee No. 26 Champagne NV, [Pre-Arrival]

100 points James Suckling
"This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. Drink or hold."

98 points Falstaff
"Light yellow-green, silver reflections, fine, lively and persistent mousse. Delicately biscuity-backed fine yellow tropical fruit notes, some mango, apple, brioche and lime zest, fresh inviting bouquet. Taut, elegant, white pomelo fruit nuances, fine fruit sweetness, lively acid arc, full of energy, some ripe pineapple in the finish, remains persistent, lemony supported fruit sweetness on the finish, a juicy food companion, good aging potential."

96 points Wine Advocate
"A blend of the 2012, 2008 and 2007 vintages, the NV Brut Grand Siècle #26 won't be released for another four or five years, but there is a great deal to anticipate, as it's a stunning young wine in the making. Unfurling in the glass with scents of crisp nectarine, pear and honeyed citrus fruit that mingle with notions of fresh mint, blanched almonds and iodine, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with broad structural shoulders, tangy acids and a long, intense finish. It's a great Grand Siècle in the making."

96 points Decanter
"This iteration of Grand Siècle is almost entirely composed of two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages, so expectations are high. The wine more than meets them, tempering the generosity of 2012's fruit – ripe apricots, white peach, clementines and sunny, zesty citrus – with a pitch-perfect streak of 2008 tautness and structure. There are some fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough, but everything is as delicately rendered as expected and impeccably shaped, with a sleek, silky mousse. A little more approachable than Itération No. 25, it will welcome extended bottle age rather than demand it. The blend is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir from eight grand cru vineyards. 65% is from the 2012 vintage, 35% from 2008 and 10% from 2007."

Jancis Robinson
"Expected release in the UK and US in October 2023. The usual tri-vintage blend, in this case 65% 2012, 25% 2008 and 10% 2007. About 70 different ingredients from eight grands crus, of which, as usual, the dominant grape is Chardonnay, comprising 58% of the blend. The Chardonnay came from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Avize, while the 42% Pinot Noir was from Laurent-Perrier's home town of Tours-sur-Marne plus Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzy. The blend was bottled just after the 2013 harvest and this bottle, from the first of several disgorgements, has a dosage of 7 g/l. One of the 'immutable principles' of Grand Siècle is that it should be aged on lees for at least 10 years but market pressure (fuelled by the new phenomenon of investing in champagne) seems to have reduced the ageing period slightly. The wine was presented to me by new chef de cave Maximilien Bernardeau, who says he had experience of making all sorts of champagne from all over the region when working in his previous lab job. He claims that this wide-ranging exposure to all sorts of champagne happily allowed him to decide that his favourite style of champagne was the same as Laurent-Perrier's!
Powerful aroma of orange peel and something in the putty/chalk spectrum. It somehow manages to be both tight yet approachable, dense in terms of flavour concentration yet filigree in terms of texture. As usual, it's so Chardonnay! Overriding citrus character and quite amazingly long, a mouthful tingling on the palate for minutes not seconds. Enormous finesse. Massive pleasure. This would make the most luxurious aperitif. Michel Fauconnet, having welcomed the new chef de cave in January 2023, must be especially proud of this wine. 19.5/20 points."