Laurent-Perrier - NV La Cuvée Brut...Happy New Year!

Happy 2020! For my first post of the year, here's a snapshot of my New Year's Eve Champagne. After a grueling, nonstop, 7-hour shift at D'Vines, I brought home this lovely French sparkling white wine to celebrate the new year. It's a traditional brut Champagne from Laurent-Perrier, the third best-selling label of Champagne after giants Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin and Moët et Chandon. Originally founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier went through many trials and tribulations, numerous owners and mergers, survived both World Wars, grew and expanded and over time has amassed numerous other holdings and wine labels, and now exports to well over 100 countries across the globe.

How badass is this - during World War II, the scion to the Laurent-Perrier business, Bernard de Nonancourt, joined the French resistance and rose to the rank of sergeant. Although his brother, Maurice, died in a concentration camp, Bernard fought tenaciously and was awarded a Croix du Guerre for bravery. Attached to the famed 2nd French armored division, he assaulted Hitler's Eagle's Nest fortress over Bechtesagaden in Austria and personally blew off the steel doors to Hitler's wine cellar, revealing half a million bottles of wine, including hundreds of cases of stolen Champagne Salon (now produced under Laurent-Perrier) which had been taken by German soldiers in 1940. Bernard returned to France a hero, presumably with less Champagne than he found, and ran the company until his death ten years ago in 2010.

OK, the clock has struck midnight, and out comes the cork to ring in 2020. I shook the bottle a bit and eased the cork out, comes out with a nice pop. Aroma is clean with some apple juice notes.

I'm picking up an interesting blend of flavors here - some fresh fruits, like green apples and pears, coupled with a nice minerality. The texture is off-dry, so a bit softer for a brut, and has a moderate sweetness. Interestingly, it's somewhat creamy, with a touch of peach-style sweetness on the end which is super enjoyable. Aftertaste is minimal and doesn't hold much onto the tongue after swallowing.

Refreshingly sweet and gentle bubbles, it's a bit softer and sweeter than other brut Champagnes I've had, which is nice. I'm not a fan of the super dry and super fizzy bubbly, so this hit the spot. It's not cheap, being sold here at D'Vines for $52.99, but it's worth it if you're looking for a nice Champagne.