Tasting Notes
Latitude is 100% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay from vineyards on the southern side of Vertus. These vineyards are on roughly the same latitude, hence the name, which also hints at the breadth of texture that the wines from these sites (having more clay in the soil) tend to offer up.
In the cellar Larmandier uses mostly large format casks (almost all the wood now comes from Stockinger in Austria) with less and less reliance on steel tanks. The alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place naturally, and there is no fining or filtration. Bottles are matured over a period of more than two years, disgorged manually and dosed at low, extra brut levels (in this case, four grams per litre), a minimum of six months before release.
Pure and mineral, this, like all the recent bottlings, offers superb texture and stone-fruited depth without sacrificing the cut-diamond precision and citrusy, chalky energy that is a given from this area. In short, this is classic Larmandier -100% delicious and all class. This is a wine that is extremely versatile at the table, especially if served in a wine glass, and can even be decanted. It will pair with everything from fish, shellfish, terrines, any white meat dish, game and most cheeses (except blue or strong washed-rind). - Importer Note
Pierre Larmandier and his wife Sophie meticulously manage this estate. Pierre inherited the family's Côte des Blancs vineyards in 1988, and since 1992, he has transitioned to herbicide-free, organic, and now biodynamic farming—a rarity in Champagne, where only 2% of vineyards are certified organic. The estate spans 18 hectares, mainly in Vertus at the southern tip of Côte des Blancs, with holdings in Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Avize. Notably, many vine parcels are 50 to 70 years old, resulting in low yields, averaging 50 hl/ha.
In the winery, they embrace a classic "minimalist" approach, using indigenous yeasts, extended fermentations lasting up to two months, and minimal sulfur. They employ various fermentation and aging vessels, including large oak vats and amphorae. Dosage levels are kept very low to maintain neutrality, and in some cases, like the Terre de Vertus, no dosage is added. In essence, their focus is on showcasing the vineyard, the village, and the vintage to the fullest. The resulting wines reflect their origins superbly, offering finesse, vinosity, and a captivating mineral intensity that entices you to return to the glass sip after sip.
| Product Type | Wine Sparkling Champagne |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Sub Region | Vertus |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |