Since 1971, the Larmandier family have been cultivating their Grower Champagnes from their home base in Vertus. This Premier Cru joins the Grands Crus of Oger and Avize here in the Côte des Blancs to make up the family holdings of some 47 acres. 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 twenty years ago now. Great soil and thoughtful agriculture are tenets of the Larmandier philosophy, and we’d never argue with that!

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 the mid slopes of the Vertus Premier Cru, all harvested in the cool 2016 vintage, and immediately pressed. The native yeast fermentation in wood vats follows, culminating in malolactic fermentation that occurs spontaneously 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 another 4 years. No dosage (Larmandier never doses any of their Champagnes above 4 grams per liter), but left with a scant 1 gram per liter of unresolved grape sugar – which greatly explains the immense amplitude of this fine wine.

Lightly golden, and sporty a stable, condensed mousse – the wine opens with initial aromas of Grandma’s biscuits, fresh from the oven and smeared all over with a spiced apple butter. Fruit sensations follow in the mouth, with accents of mango and key lime, green apples, and crisp Bartlett pears, alongside some perfumed floral sensations and a finishing kiss of Swiss meringue. It’s exceptionally well done, and sure to please lovers of big, brawny, bright, and rich Champagnes! We have less than ten cases available – so go on and treat yourself to something special – like this 94 point Champagne from Larmandier-Bernier!