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Latitude, Extra Brut, NV - $45 per bottle (Magnum $115)
93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous - The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is a fabulous introduction to the Larmandier-Bernier wines. It offers a compelling mix of Chardonnay brightness with the breadth and natural resonance that comes so easy from the clay-rich soils that are common in the southern edge of Vertus. Dried lemon peel, chamomile, mint, sage and almond nuances flesh out in this beautifully resonant, expansive Blanc de Blancs. This release is based on 2017, with 40% wines from a perpetual reserve that dates back to 2004. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019. (Drink between 2020-2028)
Longitude, Extra Brut, NV - $50 per bottle (Magnum $120)
94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous - The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru sizzles with tension and energy. Chalk and limestone soils in the villages of Vertus, Cramant and Oger give birth to a Champagne endowed with so much vibrancy. Citrus, yellow flowers, spice and baked apple tart add aromatic nuance, but it is the wine's pure drive and texture that stand out most. This is a fabulous showing. The current release is based on 2016, with 40% wines from a perpetual reserve that dates back to 2004. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019. (Drink between 2020-2028)
Terre de Vertus 2014, Extra Brut - $65 per bottle (Magnum $160)
94+ William Kelley, Wine Advocate - the 2014 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Terre de Vertus is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2013 and 2012 renditions. Unwinding in the glass with scents of white flowers, citrus oil, crisp orchard fruit, fresh pastry and almonds, it's full-bodied, layered and vinous, with more richness and mid-palate amplitude than the tauter 2013, underpinned by racy acids and chalky structuring extract. (Drink between 2023-2045)
Rose de Saignee, Extra Brut, NV - $70 per bottle (Magnum $165)
95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous - Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée is a classy, gorgeous wine. Bright, sculpted and finely chiseled, the 2016 has so much to offer. Chalk, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks perk up the red berry fruit. Sweet floral notes emerge with a bit of time in the glass. In this vintage, the Rosé is wonderfully translucent and so expressive. The NV Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from 45-50 year-old vines in Vertus, done in steel. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: January, 2020. (Drink between 2020-2027)
Vieille Vigne du Levant 2010, Extra Brut - $95 per bottle (Magnum $215)
96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate - the 2010 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant offers up a bright and detailed bouquet of citrus oil, flowers, white peach, warm bread and a delicate top note of walnut oil that's less pronounced than its delicately oxidative 2009 counterpart. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and satiny, with considerable concentration and old-vine extract, concluding with a long and saline finish. (Drink between 2020-2035)
Vieille Vigne du Levant 2011, Extra Brut - $110 per bottle (limited)
97 William Kelley, Wine Advocate - Larmandier-Bernier's 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant continues to drink superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, peach, toasted almonds, white flowers, fresh bread and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and fleshy, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. I have previously contended that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne's wines-of-the-vintage in 2011, and every bottle I open seems to confirm that. Indeed, if one were to taste only his wines, along with those produced by a small handful of other growers, one could easily think very differently about this unheralded year. (Drink between 2020-2033)
Les Chemins d'Avize 2011, Extra Brut - $110 per bottle (limited)
97 William Kelley, Wine Advocate - The 2011 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize is superb, unfurling in the glass with a classy bouquet of warm biscuits, waxy citrus rind, buttered yellow apples and hints of gingerbread. On the palate, the wine is broad, full-bodied and powerful, with an ample core of fruit, ripe acids, superb concentration and a delicate mousse, concluding with a long finish. From the southeast-facing Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits, this is the most generous, sun-kissed wine in the range. It's fermented in old barrels and sees four years sur lattes, followed by disgorgement with two grams per liter dosage. This Champagne displays some of the textural qualities of an excellent white Burgundy, and its glorious bouquet shows that ripe grapes and minimal dosage can deliver all the aromatic plenitude that some commentators contend only derives from added sugar and bottle age.(Drink between 2018-2036)
Les Chemins d'Avize 2013, Extra Brut - $120 per bottle
96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate - Larmandier-Bernier's 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize continues to show brilliantly, offering up complex aromas of argan oil, fresh apricot and crisp yellow orchard fruit, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it's layered and elegantly fleshy, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. As I wrote last year, Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late-growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents. Drink between 2020-2040)
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