Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru Extra-Brut Larmandier-Bernier 2009

Lot presentation

Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru Extra-Brut Larmandier-Bernier 2009

The wine

This cuvée originates from a terroir with perfect (south-eastern) exposure, in which old vines grow and take deep root to draw the nutrients they require. In the cellar, the hand-picked Chardonnay grapes are pressed delicately; alcoholic and malolactic fermentation occur naturally in the barrel. The wine is then matured for one year on its lees. Once bottled, the wine ages for between 7 and 8 years before being sold. The low dosage enables the champagne to fully express the typical character of its terroir through chalky and white flower notes, and a vivacity set off with waxy, fruity touches and an iodine finish.

The Larmandier and Bernier families have been associated with winegrowing since the time of the French Revolution. The Larmandiers, and their famous Cramant Blanc de Blancs Nature, are partly behind the renown of the Côte des Blancs. The family has been creating high-quality champagnes that soon find their way onto tables in top Parisian restaurants (La Tour d'Argent, Taillevent) since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1971, Philippe Larmandier and his wife Elisabeth Bernier, proprietor of the vineyards in Vertus, established Larmandier Bernier Champagne. In 1988, Philippe and Elisabeth's son Pierre took over the company. In 1992, he began to reinvigorate the property's different terroirs by working the soil and abandoning the use of weed-killers. Since 1999, the 19-hectare estate (Côte des Blancs - Vertus, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, Avize) has been farmed according to biodynamic principles (organic certification was also obtained in 2003), a bold and uncommon step in the region at the time.
Fermentation takes place in barrels and foudres (large wooden tuns) using the indigenous yeasts from each terroir, and the Champagnes are only receive light dosage. Today, the next generation is firmly in place, with the couple’s two sons Arthur, who joined in 2017, and Georges, in 2021, continuing their parents’ work in the same spirit while putting their own stamp on it.
The Champagnes are very sophisticated, open and fresh. They display great elegance and fine minerality. And despite such exacting standards… prices remain reasonable! A grower Champagne we can wholeheartedly recommend!