Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Grande Cuvée Rosé 2012
The formidable house known for Grand Siècle, the region’s most renowned nonvintage prestige cuvée
Grape Makeup:
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut
Ageing on Lees:
10 years
Price:
$$$
Cellar:
10+ years
Category:
Collectible
Photos
What
The cornerstone of one of the largest groups in champagne, renowned for Grand Siècle, the region’s premier non-vintage prestige cuvée, as well as its magnificent rosé.
Where
Tours-sur-Marne, Montagne de Reims; 150 hectares of estate vineyards.
Why
The Alexandra cuvée was first unveiled by late proprietor Bernard de Nonancourt at his daughter Alexandra’s wedding in 1987 in lieu of a wedding speech; this is only the 10th release (the previous one was 2004). The challenge is to ripen pinot and chardonnay concurrently so they can co-macerate; in 2012, the concentration was so intense that it took only 48 hours of maceration to get the berry fruit perfume then-chef de cave Michel Fauconnet was seeking.
What else
Laurent-Perrier is the originator (and owner) of the term Ultra Brut, a style of champagne made without dosage that they only produce in warm, dry vintages; the latest release, based on the 2016 vintage, has firecracker reduction and gorgeous salinity. The house’s iconic Grand Siècle, now in its 26th release, is exquisitely fresh and razor sharp, its taut austerity gradually releasing lyrical trills of lemongrass and citron.
Tasting Notes
The nose is delicately savoury, with piercing cranberry fruit gradually softening into shades of strawberry and blood orange, giving the impression of tart red fruit but with a generous velvety quality. On the palate it is very soft and rounded with a spicy but also delicately bitter back palate, where toastiness is allowed to expand and broaden. Much less angular and austere than the other cuvées of the house, this nonetheless sees firming tannins begin to emerge on the back with a sharpening bitterness, offset by the richness of the fruit and subtly enhanced by the suffused acidity.
Try It With
Something meaty and luxurious, like pata negra or foie gras.
When To Drink
After dinner.
Perfect For
The most discerning woman in your life.
TL/DR
Poised, complex and velvety.
Supplier
ASC Fine Wines
