Description
This grower should need little introduction to Australian wine buyers. Few growers have laid bare their terroir quite so transparently as this biodynamic pioneer, challenging tasters to assess Champagne as they would any other great wine. Larmandier’s tireless work in the vineyard, his minimalist approach in the winery, his deep-thinking and non-conformist views – not to mention his super mineral terroir – results in a group of intensely saline, mineral wines.
100% Chardonnay, the current release embodies everything you could hope for in a Larmandier Champagne; they are precise, captivating, intense and immaculately sculpted vins de terroir.
“The Larmandier-Bernier Champagnes are some of the purest and most utterly engaging wines being made in the region today. I can’t recommend them highly enough.” -Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
“Larmandier-Bernier exemplifies the level of purity and mineral focus that can be drawn out of primarily premier cru terroir with sufficient care and attention. These exceedingly fine wines rightfully rank high amongst the finest of Champagne’s grower producers” –Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide
2018 base with 40% reserve wines going back to 2004. Latitude is 100% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay from vineyards on the southern side of Vertus. These vineyards are on roughly the same latitude, hence the name, which also hints at the breadth of texture that the wines from these sites (having more clay in the soil) tend to offer up.
In the cellar Larmandier uses mostly large format casks (almost all the wood now comes from Stockinger in Austria) with less and less reliance on steel tanks. The alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place naturally, and there is no fining or filtration. Bottles are matured over a period of more than two years, disgorged manually and dosed at low, extra brut levels (in this case, four grams per litre), a minimum of six months before release.
Pure and mineral, this, like all the recent bottlings, offers superb texture and stone-fruited depth without sacrificing the cut-diamond precision and citrusy, chalky energy that is a given from this area. In short, this is classic Larmandier–100% delicious and all class. This is a wine that is extremely versatile at the table, especially if served in a wine glass, and can even be decanted. It will pair with everything from fish, shellfish, terrines, any white meat dish, game and most cheeses (except blue or strong washed-rind). The note below refers to the 2017 base.
93 points, 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.”
94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front “Fragrant, lightly honeyed, touches of oat, citrus and green apple, some cinnamon and light floral notes too. Cool and fresh, lightly sweet fruit character then whipped away with citrus and minerally feel. Beautiful wine here, vinous expression but very clean and cool, perfectly seasoned with savoury character and vibrant to drink.”
RRP $174 Our Special Price $139.99
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