2004 Laurent Perrier Brut

The 2004 Brut Millésimé is expressive, bursting with aromas of orange, smoke, buttered toast, white flowers, almonds and pear. Medium-bodied, pillowy and giving, with lively acids and a charming core of fruit, it concludes with a chalky, sapid finish. This is the most evolved of these five vintage bottlings from Laurent-Perrier, something that's consistent with the style of the vintage.

50:50 Chardonnay: Pinot Noir. Abundant year, post 2003 freeze and heatwave. Michel Fauconnet was reminded of the 1976 for it freshness plus low acid. Very good year for fresh Chardonnay, which is just what Laurent-Perrier like. This vintage is marked particularly by Chardonnay. Dosage 8 g/l. Greenish lemon colour. Refined and elegant nose, very well knit. Real nobility and a bone-dry finish. Great structure. Long and really very thoroughbred. Great finesse and a little chalkiness on the end as in 2007. (JR)

(a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir): Light yellow-gold. Bright, mineral-accented scents of fresh orange, Anjou pear and jasmine, with a toasty leesy nuance coming up slowly. Shows excellent clarity and lift on the palate, offering juicy tangerine and pear flavors and hints of anise, redcurrant and honeysuckle. Clings with strong tenacity on the penetrating finish, leaving a sexy floral note behind.