Thanks to Johnny for this excellent champagne and nice photos!

 'Grand Siecle La Cuvee', a blend of three vintages, was initiated by Laurent-Perrier as the first multi-vintage Prestige Cuvee. But on the American market, Laurent-Perrier always presents a single-vintage Grand Siecle. Starting with ‘Exceptionnellement Millesime 1985’ (Exceptional Vintage), Laurent-Perrier also makes the single-vintage Grand Siecle available to the European market.

Grand Siecle Exceptionnellement Millesime 1985 Brut Champagne by Laurent-Perrier

(750ml, alcohol 12% by vol., grape proportions: 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay)

Tasted in Oct. 2010

Johnny sourced this bottle from a private collector in Germany. It turns out to be perfectly healthy. This is a pure delight of the elegant and fruity school, with the subtle mature nuances and delicious, youthful fruitiness in a paradoxical harmony.

 The lengthy cork makes a perfect match with the elegant bottle shape.

Served upon uncorking. Very bright straw-gold robe. Tiny bubbles in persistent, cheerful effervescence.

Initially, the aromas are quite concentrated and evolved: subtle touches of rancio notes, perfumed sandalwood, acacia honey, toasted bread and roasted almonds are all gently integrated – just seductive! But even more exciting are the fresh and youthful fragrances of grass, lemon and grapefruit emerging on the very next second – it makes our hearts singing as we know a wonderful paradox of graceful age and eternal youth await our exploration.

Just a sip, and I’m delighted. The seductive entry of honeyed mellowness and subtle woody oiliness are instantly lifted by fresh acidity and juicy fruitiness of sweet lemon, with fine bitterness of grapefruit lingering on the aftertaste. Delicious! A normal disgorgement of a 25-year-old bubbly? I just won’t believe it in blind tasting – I would have guessed a good vintage in the 1990’s.

With more airing, the slight rancio notes soon dissipate and this lovely bubbly gradually unfolds a new dimension of subtle yet persistent nutty, yeasty complexity, which, of course, is still playfully counterbalanced by the ever refreshing acidity and delightful, youthful fruit.

A perfectly balanced yet paradoxical beauty of seasoned wisdom and youthful heart, this medium-bodied 25-year-old bubbly also impresses us with its longevity – we drink it over the course of more than one hour and a half, and it remains in perfect shape with no sign of decline…We think it can be cellared for at least another 5 years – maybe it will be even more glorious then!