Larmandier-Bernier Champagne
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier is one of the true stars of the Côte des Blancs.
Both the Larmandier and Bernier families have had a long history in the Champagne region, dating back to the French revolution, but it was not until the marriage of Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier in 1971 that Champagne Larmandier-Bernier was established. The small house today is directed by Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, with their son Jules, who own just under fifteen hectares in some of the finest villages on the Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly, Oger and Avize (all Grand Crus), as well as in the fine premier cru village of Vertus.
In the cellar, Pierre Larmandier is every bit the purist and uses only indigenous yeasts for alcoholic fermentations, producing the most natural and terroir-specific wine possible. Many of the wines undergo malolactic fermentation, and occasionally bâtonnage is practiced as well, but Pierre Larmandier is quick to point out that it is really the vintage that will decide how certain crus will be raised in the cellar…
In a world of Champagne that has witnessed sweetness levels rise in the last couple of decades, the Larmandier-Bernier wines stand out for their textural purity and their underlying energy derived from their minerality. They emerge from the cellar with picture-perfect balance, drinking well straight away, while possessing all of the inherent precision to age gracefully for decades.
It is a great pleasure to welcome Jules Larmandier to the Club, who will guide Members through a Masterclass of this fantastic collection of Champagne.
We will taste:
Rosé de saignée Extra Brut 1er Cru
NV Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
NV Longitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru
2013 Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs Non Dose 1er Cru
2012 Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs Non Dose 1er Cru
2011 Les Chemins d’Avize Extra Brut 1er Cru
2012 Les Chemins d’Avize Extra Brut 1er Cru
2009 Vielle Vigne de Levant Extra Brut GC
2008 Vielle Vigne de Levant Extra Brut GC en Magnum
Vintage 1995 (blind tasting of the terroir : Vertus, Avize or Cramant?)