Larmandier-Bernier, Blanc de Blanc Premier Cru "Longitude" Extra Brut NV (750 ml)
94+ poena - The Wine Independent
Larmandier-Bernier se danas smatra jednim od najvažnijih i najuglednijih imena u svijetu šampanjca. I porodica Larmandier i porodica Bernier imaju dugu istoriju u ovoj regiji, koja datira još od Francuske revolucije, ali je šampanjerija Larmandier-Bernier osnovana tek 1971. godine brakom Philippea Larmandiera i Elisabeth Bernier. Danas ovom malom kućom upravljaju Pierre i Sophie Larmandier zajedno sa sinom Arthurom, a posjeduju nešto manje od 18 hektara u nekim od najcjenjenijih sela u regiji Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly, Oger i Avize (sve Grand Cru), kao i u vrhunskom Premier Cru selu Vertus.
Porodica je 1999. godine prešla na potpuno biodinamičko vinogradarstvo. Njihovi vinogradi su 90% zasađeni Chardonnay-em, 9% Pinot Noirom i 1% Pinot Grijem. Kako čokoti dostižu gotovo 50 godina starosti, Larmandierovi praktikuju konzervativniji pristup prinosima nego što je to danas uobičajeno u Šampanji. Ne boje se zrelosti, već teže balansu između šećera i kiselina, što smatraju pravim svetim gralom vinogradarstva. Takođe vjeruju da terroir dolazi najviše do izražaja uz minimalan nivo dosiranja, i da se takva odluka ne donosi u podrumu, već zaslužuje u vinogradu. Kao rezultat, šampanjci Larmandier-Bernier nikada ne dobijaju više od četiri grama šećera po litru, što ih sve svrstava u kategoriju Extra Brut.
Ova cuvée, poznata pod imenom "Longitude", dobila je naziv po tome što vinogradi čine liniju blizu četvrtog meridijana. Ime takođe aludira na dužinu i vrlo čist, direktan i mineralan stil koji karakteriše ove izuzetne terroire, gdje je sloj krečnjaka vrlo blizu površini.
Uz nisku dozu od 4 g/l, ovaj šampanjac odiše živahnošću, s aromama citrusa, žutog cvijeća, začina, lješnika i tarta od pečenih jabuka. Suptilne teksture, srednjeg do punog tijela, vino ima izraženu intenzitet i koncentraciju, a završava složenim, slankasto-osvježavajućim finišem koji izaziva novu želju za gutljajem.
94+ points - The Wine Independent
Larmandier-Bernier is now perceived as one of the most important and respected names in Champagne. Both the Larmandier and Bernier families have had an extensive history in the 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, along with their son Arthur, and own just under eighteen 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.
The family converted to full biodynamic farming in 1999. Their holdings are comprised of ninety percent Chardonnay, nine percent Pinot Noir, and one percent Pinot Gris. As their vines near 50 years of age, the Larmandiers practice a more conservative approach to yields than is currently customary in the Champagne region. They do not fear ripeness, but seek maturity of sugars and acidity in search of balance - the holy grail in grape growing. They further believe that the terroir is expressed best with very minimal levels of dosage, and that this is not a decision that is made in the cellar, but rather, earned in the vineyard. Consequently, Larmandier-Bernier wines never receive more than four grams per liter of sugar. This puts all of Larmandier-Bernier's Champagnes in the category of Extra Brut.
- This cuvée, known as "Longitude," references the fact that the vineyards form a line close to the 4th meridian. Longitude is also an allusion to the length and the very pure, frank and mineral style of these great terroirs, where the chalk is very close to the surface. With a low dosage of 4 gr/l this Champagne is incredibly vibrant with aromas of citrus, yellow flowers, spice, hazelnut and baked apple tart. Delicately textural, this medium- to full-bodied wine has intensity and concentration, and concludes with a complex, mouthwateringly saline finish.