Laurent-Perrier Vintage 2004

Laurent-Perrier is selective when declaring vintages – rarely declaring them and only in the very best years with a unique character.

Thus the Vintage 2004 is an exceptional wine and while it maintains the signature style of the House’s wines, it reflects the unique characteristics of the vintage year.

Laurent-Perrier’s vintages have excellent ageing capacity.

The wine growing year began with a relatively uniform winter, followed by a fairly mild spring. The flowering season, although spread out, went off well. Hailstorms and gully erosion due to spring storms affected some 3,300 hectares in 44 municipalities. Fortunately, in the space of a few days, the trend was completely reversed thanks to an Indian summer worthy of the name: three weeks of sunny weather with relatively cool nights, extremely favourable to the grape ripening process.

Grape varieties: Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 50%

Crus: Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims: Verzy, Mailly, Verzenay, Ay, Bouzy; and Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil sur Oger, Chouilly.

The 2004 Chardonnays were a great success, delivering fine aromas of Acacia flower and citrus. The Pinot Noirs were good quality, with marked differences between the early and later stages of the harvest. Overall, the wines were balanced, with excellent aromatic expression.

The wine is aged for at least seven years.

Appearance: Golden yellow colour with fine, persistent beading, a very fine ring of bubbles.

Aroma: A fresh, forthright nose with top notes of candied pineapple. The second nose is more complex, with hints of poached Mirabelle plums.

Taste: Very pleasant, well-balanced and rounded. Persistent flavours of white peach with a fresh, complex finish.

Shared by Juliet Elliot

www.laurent-perrier.com