It's been tremendous fun these past several weeks pouring out and poring over the many wonders that Champagne brings us - seeing all the happy faces around our table come midday every Saturday is a special experience for us all in the shop. Thank you all for the warmth and enthusiasm! This coming final Saturday (21st December, from 12 to 2pm) before Christmas finally arrives next week, we look at all the magic weaved by the wonderful Laurent-Perrier!
Their main Champagne Monday special (on offer at its great price until New Year's Day) is focused around their La Cuvée Brut NV; a Chardonnay-dominant bubbly, as gold-speckled on its label as it is shining in the glass. We always love the bright persistent palate it presents, and we think it looks the best it ever has with this current 2018 base; a vintage shaping up to be a modern classic for the region. The fact that its remained at its price unlike so many others in recent times is amazing, and here's the chance to grab it at even better value right up until the clock ticks over to 2025!
Elsewhere on the tasting table, you'll come across a magnum format of the La Cuvée also on pour, alongside two great Brut vintages in the 2012 and 2015, their Pinot-packed Rosé NV, and their signature multi-vintage premium bottling, the Grand Siècle No. 26 (holding an outstanding blend of years, with 2007, 2008 and 2012).
We think this will be one to remember, and hope you can make it in between all the hectic Christmas shopping come midday Saturday!
Laurent-Perrier - Champagne Monday Special
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$80 on special until the end of December ($89 RRP)
(Featured on this weekend's tasting - rest of the lineup below)
// 50% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier
Dosage: 9gr/l
Aged for 4 years
Base vintage 2018
"The wine comes from the purest grape juice and it alone allows Laurent-Perrier to craft 'La Cuvée', a champagne of great finesse and a beautiful freshness obtained after a long ageing process in our cellars. Pale gold in color. Fine bubbles feed a persistent mousse. A delicate nose with hints of fresh citrus and white flowers. The wine’s complexity is expressed in successive notes like vine peach and white fruits notes. A perfect balance between freshness and delicacy with fruity flavours very present on the finish. This fresh and pure wine is perfect for an apéritif. Its citrus and white fruits notes and its remarkable balance supported by a subtle effervescence, make it an ideal accompaniment to poultry and fish." - House Notes
"This is lovely, the aromas and flavors run long into the finish with notes of light butter biscuits, subtle cooked apples and peaches. It's full yet balanced and long. Lovely texture. Lots of flavor and polished textured bubbles." - 93 Points, James Suckling
La Cuvée magnums are also on special and will be poured alongside the 750ml bottle at the tasting!
Weekend Tasting - Lineup & Specials
Saturday 21st December, from 12 to 2pm
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Brut Vintage 2012 - $134 on special ($149 RRP)
// 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay
"This is such a beautiful champagne year and the wines from this vintage shine with style and Queensland winter sunshine! All the Pinot and Chardonnay is from Grand Cru vineyards in Côte des Blancs villages Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Chouilly for the Chardonnay and Ay, Verzenay, Verzy and Mailly for the Pinot Noir. The golden straw colour reveals the great quality Chardonnay which is a signature of this great House. Citrus shines with lemons, bitter orange, ripe pomelo and a wonderful mineral backbone. There is a layer of pineapple, some apricot, white peach and a great lemon-blossom flowery nose. The Grand Cru Pinot Noir reflects new-season blueberries and ripe raspberries with a layer of plum. Hints of ginger shine through. It is a finely knit wine - very elegant with a fine effervescence and lively palate. A marvelous wine to drink now or put down for many years to come. There will be some in my cellar! Elegant and divine!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
Brut Vintage 2015 - $170 on special ($189 RRP)
// 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
"This is in a new bottle, like the stout ones used for the rosé and blanc de blancs. This is very structured with a density and richness with hints of strawberry to the apple character. Bubbles turn fine textured at the end. Delicious flavors of biscuits and dried apple in the finish. Special character to this because of the very ripe vintage. Disgorged in November 2021. This is half chardonnay and half pinot noir. This can age well due to the phenolics. Drink or hold." - 95 Points, James Suckling
Cuvée Rosé NV - $170 on special ($189 RRP)
// 100% Pinot Noir
"The latest iteration of Laurent-Perrier's NV Brut Cuvée Rosé is showing brilliantly, bursting from the glass with notes of smoky red berry fruit, apples, blood orange, pomegranate and warm biscuits. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a delicate mousse, good depth at the core and ripe acids, concluding with a sapid, gently phenolic finish. This is a sophisticated, gastronomic rosé that would work well at table." - 92 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Grand Siècle No. 26 Multi-Vintage - $425 on special ($480 RRP)
// 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir
Disgorged February 2023
10 years on lees with 7g/L dosage
“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.” - 100 Points, James Suckling (Wine of the Year 2023 Winner)
"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." - 19.5 out of 20, Jancis Robinson MW
Also Available (Magnum formats) -
Brut Vintage 2012 Magnum - $320 on special ($359 RRP)
Grand Siècle No. 23 Magnum - $945 on special ($1,050 RRP)
(Only one available!)
If you wish to purchase any of these champagnes, please use the links above. Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Prices valid until Monday the 23rd of December