Tasting Notes
This comes from two, tiny, neighbouring Avize vineyards: Chemin de Plivot, planted in 1955, and Chemin de Flavigny, planted in 1960. Both sites are highly chalky with very little topsoil, and lie on the lower slopes of Avize, not far from Agrapart’s la Fosse vineyard, where his Venus cuvée is grown. The winemaking follows similar lines to their other cuvées, save for the use of smaller, neutral barrels for the fermentations—necessitated by the small-batch nature of this blend. The wine was rested on lees six years before being disgorged by hand with only two grams dosage per litre. - Rob Walters
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 |