Champagne Larmandier-Bernier, Non Dosé 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France, 2016

Producer Profile

Averaging 33 years of age, Larmandier-Bernier’s 15 hectares of vineyards lie on the spectacular terroirs of the Côte des Blancs:

Vertus, a 1er cru village, as well as the Grand Crus Cramant, Chouilly, Oger and Avize. According to Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, “the creation of a great Champagne, like the creation of any great wine, begins in the vineyard.” This philosophy is why they manage their vineyards biodynamically, harvesting their grapes manually at optimal ripeness to produce extraordinary expressions of each terroir. Fermentation using natural yeasts in a mixture of stainless steel vats, wooden casks and barrels, together with long, slow ageing at either Brut Nature (0 g/l) or Extra Brut (2-5 g/l) allows for the clearest of expressions.

Viticulture

Larmandier Bernier’s 19ha estate has been working Organically and Biodynamic for over 20 years, craft fully producing outstanding Champagnes from the exceptional terroirs of Grand Cru’s Cramant, Avize, Oger, and 1st growth sites in Vertus. More than 90% of their vineyards are planted with Old Vine Chardonnay averaging 35 years planted on outcropping Campanian chalk soils. Sourced from a plot of Chardonnay which has been vinified separately since 1995 located in the lieu-dit ‘Les Barillers’ situated on the hillside in Vertus. This terroir is very special, delicate, saline, and at the same time very complex. The balance is there, no need to blend!

Winemaking

The grapes are gently pressed and the juices are very lightly settled before being directly placed in barrels. Natural alcoholic fermentation (wild yeasts) and malolactic fermentation start spontaneously in the barrels and Stockinger casks. The wines are left on their natural lees for nearly a year and undergo gentle bâtonnages, but no filtering or fining. Bottles are taken down into cellars where the second fermentation and the maturation ‘on laths’ is carried out over a period of more than 6 years ageing. Each bottle is disgorged by hand 1 year before release. This wine is zero dosage (no sugar added) so as to respect throughout its purity.

Tasting Note

Bright acidity, ample flesh the crisp apple fruits are supported by brioche, citrus zest and freshly baked bread.

Food Matching

The perfect pairing for seafood dishes like sushi, sashimi, oysters or scallops