Larmandier-Bernier 'Vielle Vigne du Levant' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France 2013

Larmandier-Bernier 'Vielle Vigne du Levant' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France 2013

Winemakers: Pierre & Sophie Larmandier

Farming: Biodynamic

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Soil / Terroir: Côte des Blancs. From the oldest estate Grand Cru vineyards in the village of Cramant, these vines range from 50-70 years of age.

Vinfication: Fermented using natural yeasts in a combination of 60% used barriques and 40% used foudres and left on the lees during the winter. Secondary fermentation and further aging on the lees for over seven years. Disgorged 1 year prior to release.

Aging: The bottles are taken down into the coolness of the cellars and stacked on lattes, the second fermentation takes place and maturation goes on for at least 5 more years. Each bottle is disgorged by hand 6 months before being marketed.

Dosage: 2g/L

Tasting Notes: “Still tightly wound after its disgorgement in April 2021, the 2012 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant offers up an inviting bouquet of pear, peach, orange zest, freshly baked bread and pastry cream. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it's an elegantly muscular, layered wine, with lively acids and a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a resonant finish. Despite its flesh and power, it's still tightly wound, so at least a few years' patience is recommended." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Scores / Accolades:

• 95+ PTS, Wine Advocate

One of the true gems in Champagne, Larmandier-Bernier is a small grower estate with fifteen biodynamically farmed hectares in Grand Cru & Premier Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs.  Both the Larmandier and Bernier families have had a long history in the Champagne region, dating back to the French revolution, but it was not until the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971 that Champagne Larmandier-Bernier was officially established.  The small house today is directed by Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, who took over the direction of the family estate in 1988.

The Côte des Blancs lies south of  Epernay  and  is  the  source  for  many  top  cuvée  &  vintage  Champagnes  for  houses  of  all  sizes.  The vineyards are mostly situated on east facing slopes and 95% of the vines are the Chardonnay varietal (hence, the Côte des Blancs name). The soils in the area are typically a thin layer of top soil, beneath which lies the chalk that gives these wines their unique expression of minerality and terroir. Wines from this region are generally praised for their delicacy, freshness, and elegance.