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. Pierre took over the direction of the family estate in 1988, moving the family’s vineyards to Organics by 1992 and then to full-blown Biodynamic viticulture by 1999. All in all, the wines from Larmandier-Bernier are reference point Champagnes that fully demonstrate the profound potential of low dosage and non-dosé bottlings. These powerful wines revel in their beautiful expressions of terroir, impeccable balance and clean, zesty and very pure palate impressions.
Larmandier-Bernier Les Chemins D’Avize Grand Cru Extra Brut 2013
13% abv
Les Chemins D’Avize completes the range of single parcel Champagnes. This approach began back in 1988 with Vieille Vigne de Cramant, continued in 1995 with Terre de Vertus and in 1999 with le Rosé de Saignée. Pierre and Sophie had known for a long time that the terroir of Avize deserved a singular cuvée. It was in 2009, thanks to the acquisition of a small press, that these two parcels were separated. They are situated in the heart of the village of Avize on the parcels named “Chemin de Plivot and “Chemin de Flavigny”. The soil here is very poor, with the chalk outcropping so that the 50-year-old vines derive delicate floral characteristics and a unique mineral density.
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 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 the maturation continues slowly for at least 5 more years. Each bottle is disgorged by hand 6 months before being marketed. The dosage is only 2 g/l (extra brut).
Vinous December 2018 94 points
- Reference #:
- 13685
- Strength
- 13 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Organic
- Yes
- Biodynamic
- Yes
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
- Sparkling
- Yes
