Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N° 24 Grande Cuvée Champagne

Introduction

If you’re exploring top-tier prestige Champagnes, few cuvées command as much attention and admiration as the Grand Siècle line from Laurent‑Perrier and in particular the Iteration N°24 of the Grande Cuvée. This release represents the house’s concept of the “perfect year” through the art of assemblage, rather than relying on a single vintage. In this article, we’ll dive deep into every aspect: the house background, the pedigree of the cuvée, its blend, production, tasting profile, food pairings, market positioning, pricing, editions, common “People Also Ask” questions with full answers, and finally a conclusion to help you decide if it’s the right Champagne for you (especially if you’re purchasing in a market like Douala, Cameroon).

1. The House & Heritage of Laurent-Perrier

Origins & Philosophy

Laurent-Perrier is a historic Champagne house founded in 1812 in Tours-sur-Marne, Champagne, France. Over two centuries it has built a reputation for elegance, high-quality vineyards, and an aesthetic of freshness and refinement. The house is known for prioritising Chardonnay and long ageing in many of its cuvées.

The Grand Siècle line was initiated by the late Bernard de Nonancourt in 1959. The name “Grand Siècle” references the 17th century era in France under Louis XIV (the “Sun King”), a period celebrated for human achievement, harmony and grand design. According to the house, the idea was this: instead of waiting for one “perfect vintage” in Champagne (which is rare), you can create an “ideal year” by blending several exceptional ones. (Laurent-Perrier)

Thus, Grand Siècle represents the apex of Laurent-Perrier’s know-how: from vineyard sourcing (Grand Crus only), long ageing, and precision blending to deliver depth, complexity, and age-worthiness while preserving freshness. (Laurent-Perrier)

Position in the Portfolio

Within the Laurent-Perrier range, Grand Siècle is the prestige cuvée: above the non-vintage house blends like La Cuvée or Cuvée Rosé, and even above vintage bottlings in terms of investment, exclusivity and ageing potential. (Laurent-Perrier)

Because of this positioning, Grand Siècle commands higher prices, has limited availability, and is treated as a collectible or celebratory “top shelf” Champagne.

2. The Cuvée – Grand Siècle Iteration N°24: Blend & Production Details

What “Iteration N°24” Means

The Grand Siècle line is released in “iterations”—each iteration is a new assemblage of several vintages selected to achieve the house’s idea of a “perfect year.” With iteration numbering (N°24 in this case), the house emphasises the craft of blending. According to Laurent-Perrier:

“Vintage in Champagne is usually synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvées. Contrarily, Laurent-Perrier believes that only the art of assemblage can offer what nature can never provide, that is, the perfect year.” (Laurent-Perrier)

Iteration N°24 is specifically defined as:

• Assembly of vintages 2007 (60%), 2006 (20%), and 2004 (20%). (Laurent-Perrier)
• Grapes sourced exclusively from Grand Crus (11 Grand Crus in this iteration). (Laurent-Perrier)

Thus this is a non‐vintage Champagne in the sense it is not purely one vintage, but the blend is crafted from three outstanding years chosen for their complementary profiles.

The Blend of Grapes & Vineyards

For this iteration:

• Approximately 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir. (Laurent-Perrier)
• The Chardonnay vineyards: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant, Avize, Chouilly. (Laurent-Perrier)
• The Pinot Noir vineyards: Ambonnay, Bouzy, Tours-sur-Marne, Mailly, Verzy, Verzenay. (Laurent-Perrier)

By sourcing only Grand Crus and using a high Chardonnay ratio, the house emphasises finesse, complexity, minerality, and longevity.

Ageing & Vinification

• According to house details: the magnum format (150 cl) of this iteration is aged 14 years on lees (for magnums). (Laurent-Perrier)
• Standard bottle format ages at least 10 years or more on lees (for their prestige cuvée). (Laurent-Perrier)
• After disgorgement, the Champagne is released when the house considers it sufficiently matured and expressive. For example, reviews state dosage around 7 g/L for this iteration (magnum) and alcohol ~12%. (Wine)

Technical Highlights

• 100% Grand Cru vineyards. (Laurent-Perrier)
• Blend of multiple years to achieve depth and complexity rather than single vintage expression.
• High Chardonnay content gives backbone, structure, and finesse; Pinot Noir adds power, red fruit nuance and body.
• Long lees ageing enhances texture, complexity, and aging potential.
• Limited production—only periodically released when the house decides the blend meets their standard. According to house note: since 1959, only 26 iterations in bottle and 24 in magnum. (Laurent-Perrier)

3. Tasting Profile & Characteristics

Here we detail what you can expect visually, aromatically and on the palate from Grand Siècle N°24—based on house description, critic reviews and taste note compilations.

Appearance

• The house describes the “eye” (vue) for Grand Siècle as a “white-gold colour with delicate and persistent bubbles.” (Laurent-Perrier)
• For Iteration N°24 specifically: “a sparkling spring yellow colour and a fine effervescence that supports a delicate and persistent thread of tiny bubbles.” (Laurent-Perrier)

Visually one should see a pale gold robe, clear and bright, with a fine steady stream of bubbles typical of top Champagne.

Nose (Aroma)

House notes describe:

“A very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey.” (Laurent-Perrier)

For iteration N°24:

“A complex nose with aromas of candied lemon and clementine giving way to notes of toasted bread and fresh hazelnut.” (Laurent-Perrier)

Critic tasting adds further detail (Wine Advocate etc): aromas of candied pear, lemon confit, freshly baked bread, dried flowers, hazelnut, sweet pastry, ginger, cardamom. (Wine)

So the aroma profile is very layered: starting with fresh citrus/white fruit, then brioche/pastry/almond, then tertiary nutty/mineral notes.

Palate (Taste & Texture)

From the house:

“The attack in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with aromas of candied lemon and fresh hazelnut. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.” (Laurent-Perrier)

For N°24:

“Fresh and mineral at first on the palate with evolving citrus notes. A silky texture offering aromas of honeysuckle and candied lemon. A finish of great complexity and exceptional length.” (Laurent-Perrier)

Critic review for N°24:

“Medium- to full-bodied … a sweet fruit core supported by a racy spine of acidity … precise, saline-tinged finish.” (Wine)
“Brisk acidity with notes of sweet pastry, ginger and cardamom.” (Bodeboca)

Thus the palate experience: crisp entry, mineral core, elegant texture, layered citrus/white fruits, pastry/nut complexity, long finish with salinity/mineral tension. Very refined and age-worthy.

Finish & Overall Impression

Finish is described as “exceptional length”, “great complexity”, “saline-tinged” and “mineral freshness sustained”. This is typical of Champagnes meant to age. For example: house: “une finale d’une grande complexité et d’une longueur exceptionnelle.” (Laurent-Perrier)

Critic note: “like a grand cru Burgundy… full body, lightly chewy, phenolic tension gives it form and beauty.” (Bodeboca)

Overall, you’re getting a top‐flight Champagne: built to age, with refinement, depth and elegance rather than overt flamboyance. This is not just a “celebration fizz”—it’s a cellar wine in its own right.

4. Serving, Food Pairing & Storage

Serving Guidelines

• Temperature: Serve at around 10-12 °C or slightly cooler (~8–10°) to allow aromatics and fine mousse to emerge. Some sources suggest a cooler 8-10 °C to preserve freshness.
• Glassware: Use a tulip or white wine glass (rather than narrow flute) to allow full aroma development.
• Pouring: Chill thoroughly, open gently, pour half glass first and allow a minute, then top up—this helps preserve effervescence and opens the wine.
• Decanting: For prestige ageing Champagnes like this, some sommeliers suggest a short decant or at least a generous pour to let aromatics breathe (especially if bottle has been cellared).

Food Pairings

Given the complexity, age and finesse of Grand Siècle N°24, ideal pairing is with premium cuisine. House notes list the following:

• “Noble meats, noble fish, shellfish, truffles.” (Laurent-Perrier)
• For N°24: Suggested pairing by chef Christian Le Squer: Poultry truffled with sour cream and fresh herbs. (Laurent-Perrier)

Other recommended pairings:

• H ôtelepoque: turbot, lobster, “surf and turf” elevated dishes. (Wine)
• Rich white meats with sauce (e.g., cream & truffle), fine shellfish (e.g., langoustine, scallops), even dishes with some richness but refined structure.
• Cheeses: soft cheese with truffle, aged goats with herbs.
• Avoid heavy sweet desserts—unless fruit based or refined pastry with minimal sweetness.

Storage & Ageing Potential

• This is very much a Champagne designed for age: the long lees ageing before release, the high Chardonnay ratio, the Grand Cru sourcing all point to longevity.
• Drink or hold: Many critics rate it as ready to drink but with potential to age 10-15+ years under ideal conditions. For example: one note said “perfectly stored bottles… will last well for another 10-15 years.” (tastingbook.com)
• Storage conditions: Cool (~10-13 °C), constant temperature, dark, horizontal or at least stable, low vibration, away from light.
• For markets like Douala (Cameroon) with heat/humidity concerns → ensuring provenance and shipping/storage condition is especially important.
• Magnum vs standard bottle: The magnum format (150 cl) ages more slowly and may have even greater potential; iteration N°24 is explicitly released (in magnum) after 14 years on lees. (Laurent-Perrier)

5. Market Positioning, Pricing & Availability

Positioning

Grand Siècle N°24 is a luxury prestige Champagne—one of the flagship expressions from Laurent-Perrier. It is designed for serious collectors, fine dining, major celebrations, and long-term cellaring. Because of its pedigree (Grand Crus only, high Chardonnay content, long ageing), it sits at the high end of the Champagne market.

Because it is an iteration of the house’s elite line, it is limited in production and released selectively. As mentioned: only 26 iterations in bottle since 1959. (Laurent-Perrier)

Pricing

Pricing will vary greatly depending on market, bottle size, age, shipping/import costs, taxes. Some indicative pricing:

• One Australian retailer lists AU$319.99 for N°24 (standard 750 ml).
• Portuguese retailer lists €299.90 incl VAT for 75 cl. (Bodeboca)
• In some markets the price may approach or exceed US$300+ for the bottle.
  Thus, for markets like Cameroon, one should expect considerably higher price after duties/importer mark-ups.
  Value: Given the production quality and prestige, many consider it a fair value in its category—but only if provenance and condition are assured.

Availability

• Because of limited production and high status, the bottle may be scarce in some markets; duty‐free, high-end wine shops and fine-dining restaurants are likely sources.
• For buyers in Douala or similar markets: check with trusted importers, ensure proper storage (especially temperature/humidity), verify bottle condition, release details (iteration number on bottle neck or label) and ideally know disgorgement date.
• Some buyers report difficulty in identifying which iteration their bottle is: the number (e.g., “24”) is usually indicated on the neck of the bottle after iteration 23. (Reddit)

6. “People Also Ask” – Common Questions & Answers

Here are frequent questions people search about Grand Siècle N°24, with full answers.

Q: What grapes are used in Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°24?
A: The blend is approximately 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir (for iteration N°24). The grapes are all sourced from Grand Cru vineyards. Specific Grand Crus include Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant, Avize, Chouilly (for Chardonnay) and Ambonnay, Bouzy, Tours-sur-Marne, Mailly, Verzy, Verzenay (for Pinot Noir). (Laurent-Perrier)

Q: Is Grand Siècle N°24 a single vintage Champagne?
A: No. Instead of being a single-vintage bottling, Laurent-Perrier uses a blending of multiple vintages (2007, 2006, 2004 in this iteration) to craft what they call the “perfect year”. So it is a multi-vintage prestige cuvée. (Laurent-Perrier)

Q: What is the dosage and alcohol content of Grand Siècle N°24?
A: According to critics, the dosage for the magnum version of N°24 is around 7 g/L. Alcohol content is approx 12% ABV. (Wine)

Q: What does Grand Siècle N°24 taste like?
A: Taste profile includes:

• Appearance: pale gold, fine bubbles.
• Aroma: candied lemon, clementine, toasted bread, fresh hazelnut, honeysuckle, almonds.
• Palate: fresh, mineral attack; silky texture; notes of white fruits, citrus, almond, honeysuckle; finish long, complex, saline-tinged. (Laurent-Perrier)
  Critic review adds descriptors: “sweet fruit core”, “racy spine of acidity”, “saline finish”. (Wine)

Q: How should I serve Grand Siècle N°24 and what does it pair with?
A: Serve chilled at around 8-12 °C; use glassware that allows aromas to show (tulip or white wine style rather than narrow flute). Pairing suggestions:

• Noble meats, fine fish/seafood (turbot, lobster, langoustine)
• Poultry truffled with sour cream/herbs (as suggested for this iteration)
• Shellfish, truffles, delicate but high-end dishes. (Laurent-Perrier)
  Given its age-worthy nature, it may shine with more refined, richer dishes than a basic aperitif bubble.

Q: Is Grand Siècle N°24 worth the price?
A: Many critics and consumers believe yes, provided you buy it at a fair price and with good provenance. Ratings: James Suckling 97, Wine Enthusiast 96, Wine Advocate 94 for this iteration. (Wine)
One user on Reddit:

“Grand Siècle is always a nice treat.” (Reddit)
Another user was less positive:
“I personally did not find it much better than the regular LP… quite similar and for the price… very disappointed.” (Reddit)
So while many regard it as excellent, personal preference and price paid matter. If the price is excessively inflated in your market, the value proposition may be less compelling.

Q: How long can Grand Siècle N°24 be cellared?
A: Very good ageing potential. Critic notes suggest “another 10-15 years” for well-stored bottles. (tastingbook.com)
Given the long ageing before release and high quality grapes, one can hold it for many years—but you must ensure storage conditions are excellent (cool, dark, stable).

Q: How can I identify the iteration number on the bottle?
A: The iteration number (N°24 in this case) is typically printed on the neck of the bottle just below the capsule. Poster community advice:

“The number on standard bottles is on the neck (at the bottom of the capsule/coiffe).” (Reddit)
Before iteration labelling, older bottles may not have a number, making identification harder. Check the neck and verify with house documentation or retailer if unsure.

7. Pros & Cons – Things to Consider

Pros

• Outstanding pedigree: Only Grand Crus, high-level blending, long lees ageing.
• Distinctive flavour profile: refined, layered, age-worthy.
• Prestige bottle: ideal for major celebrations, fine dining, gifting to mark major milestones.
• Versatility for luxury cuisine: a step above many “regular” NV Champagnes.
• Strong critical acclaim and house reputation: many consider this among the elite non-vintage prestige Champagnes.

Cons / Things to Watch

• Price premium: Being a high-end cuvée, price is high; value depends on local cost, taxes, duties, and storage history.
• Availability: May be limited, especially in smaller markets; some bottles may be older releases or have uncertain provenance.
• Style may not suit everyone: For those who prefer very youthful, high-fruit or heavily oak-influenced Champagnes, this might feel more restrained, refined and less flamboyant.
• Provenance & storage risk: In hot/humid markets (e.g., Cameroon), improper storage can quickly degrade quality—so ensure import/storage history is trustworthy.
• Perception risk: As one Reddit user noted, some found “regular” house cuvée nearly as good—so if paid a premium, expectations must be aligned. (Reddit)

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle N°24 is a distinguished, luxury Champagne that deserves serious consideration if you’re looking for top-tier bubbly—and are willing to invest accordingly. It offers a combination of heritage, vineyard quality (Grand Crus only), refined artistry in blending, long ageing, and a tasting profile that rewards patience and good cuisine.

When to choose it:

• For a major event: wedding, milestone anniversary, business celebration, where the bottle itself adds gravitas.
• If you have the budget and want to impress with a premium Champagne.
• If you are pairing with high-end cuisine and expect the wine to be part of the experience—not just a drink.
• If you have good storage or are buying from trusted provenance.

When you might choose something else:

• If your budget is more modest and you are seeking “just nice bubbly” rather than elite.
• If you don’t have access to good storage or are buying in a market with high mark-ups (where value may suffer).
• If you prefer quicker-drinking, lighter styled Champagnes with less ageing.
• If you will drink immediately and don’t plan to savour over years or with fine cuisine.

Final verdict: If you find Grand Siècle N°24 at a fair price, with good provenance, it stands out as one of the better prestige cuvées you can purchase in the non‐vintage/iteration world. It combines depth, elegance and age-worthiness in a way that many prestige Champagnes do. While cost is high, for the right occasion it offers a luxurious experience worthy of investment.