2000 Laurent Perrier Brut

Smoky, sweet, a little soft. I think I prefer the NV. A little heavy. Launched only quite recently in the UK apparently. (JR)

(L43PW395618P) Bright yellow-gold. Deep, smoky aromas of poached pear, pit fruits, lees and brown butter are lifted by lemon rind and minerals. Smooth, open-knit and spicy, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and suggestions of brown sugar and honey. This fully mature brut finishes with very good breadth and lingering spiciness.

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir is from Montagne de Reims; Verzy, Mailly, Ambonnay, Bouzy, and the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs; Avize, Cramant, Oger, Chouilly. Wine is bottle-aged in the cellars for at least seven years. No fining agent is used. RS 14 g/l. Laurent-Perrier’s Cellar Master is Michel Fauconnet who has worked at Laurent-Perrier for 37 years. Dense and deep and still tight. Off dry. Not the purest vintage expression. Though there is great tension here still. (JR)