Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru 2017

Since the 19^th century, the LARMANDIER family have been cultivating their vines in the premiers and grands crus of the Côte des Blancs. Chalk is the keystone of these great terroirs.

Indeed, among the different production areas of the Champagne appellation, only the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs are situated on the Campanian chalk which is at the origin of the elegant mineral quality of Larmandier-Bernier Champagnes.

Having been biodynamically produced for more than 20 years, Larmandier-Bernier’s Champagnes are unique: mature, mineral, pure, as close as they can be to their terroir.

This plot of Chardonnay has been vinified separately since 1995. It’s a parcel named “Les Barillers”, situated mid-slope in Vertus. This terroir is very particular: delicate, saline and, at the same time, very complex. The balance is already present, so no need for any blending. Chardonnay 100%, a single terroir and a single vintage

The grapes are pressed gently, the juices are clarified very slightly and then go directly into wood. The natural alcoholic fermentation (indigenous yeasts) and the malolactic fermentation begin spontaneously in the Stockinger casks and vats. The wines are matured on the natural lees during their first year, with no filtering or fining being carried out..

The bottles are taken down into the coolness of the cellars and stacked on lattes, the second fermentation takes place and maturation goes on for at least 5 more years. Each bottle is disgorged by hand 6 months before being marketed.

This wine is 0% dosage (no sugar added) so as to respect, throughout, its purity.

"The 2017 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus, which derives from two east-facing plots within the same lieu-dit in Les Barillers, located mid-slope, imparts a very mineral, almost crystalline character. A vineyard that rarely produces powerful wines, even in the context of 2017, it has retained its personality, though it’s a little more generous and slightly less focused than the 2016 rendition. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle and oyster shell, it is medium-bodied, racy and saline-tinged and can be approached before the last year’s release. It was disgorged in May 2023." - 93 Points, 

Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

Country: France

Region: Champagne

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Champagne

Vintage: 2017

Size: 750ml