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Larmandier Bernier Champagne du Levant VV GC 2010

Larmandier Bernier Champagne du Levant VV GC 2010

$228.65 In any mixed 6
$269.00 per single bottle
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Tasting Notes

Disgorged June 2019. This Blanc de Blancs was historically labelled as Vieille Vigne de Cramant. Nothing else has changed save for the name, which is now inspired by the vineyard where the majority of grapes are sourced, Bourron du Levant. The vines here were planted in 1960 and the balance comes from a 0.5-hectare holding in the neighbouring terroir of Le Fond du Bâteau (75-year-old vines). Both plots are located in the heart of Cramant on the east-facing flanks of the Butte de Saran. The soils here have more clay than either the Terre de Vertus and the Chemin’s Avize vineyards, so there is automatically considerably more power. These vines also bask in the first rays of the morning sun, which combined with the low yields, helps to deliver a wine of glowing density and opulence. The winemaking across each of Larmandier’s single-terroir wines is similar—natural fermentation and malo, 12 months in Stockinger cask and no fining or filtration. This cuvée however, spent eight years on lees, and was disgorged with only two grams dosage. A superb, layered and textural VV du Levant with orange rind, citrus pith and nutty complexity. Silky, yet with a long and racy close. Gorgeous indeed! Try it with veal, pan-fried fish, chicken and so on. - Rob Walters

Like Egly-Ouriet and Selosse, Larmandier-Bernier has been rated as one of Champagne's top 5 producers by Andrew Jefford in his celebrated work, The New France, [Mitchell Beazley]. This estate is meticulously run by Pierre Larmandier and his wife Sophie. Pierre's family have owned vineyards in the Côte des Blancs since the Revolution. The estate is now 15 hectares, predominantly in Vertus, at the Southern tip of the Côte des Blancs, yet there are also holdings in Cramant, Chouilly, Oger & Avize. The vineyards are biodynamically worked (almost unheard of in Champagne) and the average age of the vines is 35 years (most Champagne vineyards are considered 'old' and due for replanting at 25 years). Yields are kept very low by Champagne standards, 50 hl/ha on average.


In the winery the approach is classic "minimalist" with indigenous yeasts, long, slow ferments of up to two months and very little sulphur. A mixture of fermenting vessels are utilised including large oak vats and even barriques. Very low dosage levels too and the dosage is designed to be as neutral as possible. Sometimes, as is the case in the "Terre de Vertus" there is no dosage at all. In other words, everything is designed to maximise the expression of the vineyard, commune and vintage. The resulting wines are wonderful expressions of their origins, fine and delicate, yet with and a mineral intensity that keeps you coming back, sip after sip. Peter Liem (champagneguide.net) has written: "Larmandier-Bernier is one of the finest estates in the Côte des Blancs, producing wines of unusual detail and clarity of expression. The style is for champagnes that are dry, minerally and terroir-driven, emphasizing purity and finesse over richness or sheer power."Such purity and minerality could only come from the man that Laurent d'Harcourt, MD of Pol Roger, recently dubbed "The Ayatollah of quality" and his impeccably tended vineyards. - Importer Note

Product Type Wine Sparkling Champagne
Volume 750ml
Country France
Region Champagne
Sub Region Vertus
Winemaking Practices Minimal Intervention
Vineyard Practices Organic/Biodynamic