Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Vielles Vigne de Levant Extra Brut Grand Cru 2014

The Larmandier family has been cultivating tremendous Grower Champagnes from their home base in Vertus since 1971. Chalk is the one ever-present aspect of their selected terroirs – a finely chosen selection of Campanian chalk that grants their wines an unending freshness and vibrant minerality. More recent to the property is the focus on biodynamic farming – an important effort initiated by Pierre Larmandier some 20 years ago now. Great soil and thoughtful agriculture are tenets of the Larmandier philosophy, and the results are otherworldly in quality.

For this single vintage, single parcel wine made from a single grape – the focus is on crafting the truest sense of the vineyard’s terroir – and of course, that inimitable Larmandier-Bernier style. The grapes are grown on 60- to 85-plus-year-old vines in the Grand Cru village of Cramant on eastern-facing slopes that soak up the sunshine’s first morning rays. It is said that the fruit grown on the east side of Cramant is drastically different from western-facing fruit, and carries more power and richness than the other side of the slope. The hand-harvested grapes get gently pressed before fermenting on native yeasts in the cellar’s prized Stockinger casks and vats (considered to be the Ferrari of fermentation vessels). After a year of aging in barrel and vat, the wine is blended and bottled, to be left to age on the lees in bottle for an exceptionally generous 10 years. An Extra Brut dosage of 2 grams per liter allows for exemplary freshness and Larmandier’s characteristic balance.

“Larmandier-Bernier numbers among the Côte de Blanc's—and Champagne's—finest estates.” –Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Lightly golden, and sporting a stable, condensed mousse – the wine opens with initial aromas of crunchy apricot, fluffy brioche, and lemon meringue. Decadent sensations follow in the mouth, with accents of orange peel, Anjou pear, and hazelnuts, alongside some perfumed sensations of yellow apple and lilacs, with some salty sea air, buttery croissant, and a finishing kiss of chalky minerality. It’s exceptionally well done – tingly and acidic, but also soft and round, with a lasting finish and fine elegance to it. We have only a few cases available – so go ahead and treat yourself to something special today.