Description
About Larmandier-Bernier
“Few growers’ ranges in Champagne are as consistently outstanding as that of Larmandier-Bernier,” Andrew Jefford, The New France
“In a region where vineyard work is not always given the priority it deserves, Larmandier-Bernier is a model of what can be achieved through conscientious and diligent care in the vines.” Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net
“Pierre and Sophie Larmandier craft dramatic, vinous wines of real personality and class. Sustainable farming practices, indigenous fermentations and aging in cask are some of the cornerstones of an approach that yields distinctly potent, textured wines full of character.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Today we offer the superb new releases from this stellar grower. The new bottlings of Latitude, Longitude and Rosé de Saignée all draw on the impressive (if small) 2019 vintage, and we can happily offer these wines in a range of formats that include extended lees aging. The new single-terroir cuvées also stem from a range of vintages: Terre de Vertus from 2015 (six years on lees); Chemins d’Avize from 2014 (seven years on lees); and Vieille Vigne du Levant (over eight years on lees). Finally, Larmandier has released the second vintage of its new Rosé de Maturation. Following over six years in bottle, the 2014 offers a totally different experience from the Rosé de Saignée: it’s a more layered, fleshy and complex wine. Across the board the quality is, once again, awe-inspiring.
Like other benchmark growers, this is a producer that keeps evolving and reaching ever-greater heights. The wines still have the energy and intense minerality they have always offered, and now there is even more depth, layers and complexity. In part this is due to an increase in the lees aging cycle, which the Larmandiers now deem essential to the expression of their wines. For some time, Pierre and Sophie Larmandier have also indicated their wish to age their Champagnes for even longer before release, and the new, underground maturation cellar now grants them this opportunity.