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Larmandier-Bernier, Champagne Extra Brut Grand Brut Vieille Vigne du Levant, 2014

$199.99

PREORDER - ARRIVES LATE NOVEMBER 2024

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Larmandier-Bernier’s Champagne Extra Brut “Vieille Vigne du Levant” 2014 is a profound and complex Blanc de Blancs crafted from old-vine Chardonnay in the Grand Cru village of Cramant on the Côte des Blancs. These venerable vines, averaging over 80 years in age, draw deeply into the chalk-rich soils, imparting an intense minerality and richness to the wine. Made with a minimalist approach and vinified in large oak casks, “Vieille Vigne du Levant” captures the essence of the 2014 vintage with a deep, terroir-driven character. The Extra Brut dosage allows the full expression of the old vines and terroir.

On the nose, this cuvée opens with layered aromas of lemon curd, ripe pear, and white flowers, complemented by hints of hazelnut, brioche, and a distinct chalky minerality. The palate is broad and structured, showcasing flavors of citrus zest, yellow apple, and toasted almond, with a creamy, fine mousse that enhances its depth. The Extra Brut finish emphasizes the wine’s purity and mineral intensity, leaving a long, complex finish with notes of saline and subtle spice.

An ideal pairing for rich seafood dishes like lobster, turbot, or scallops in butter, as well as roasted poultry and aged cheeses, “Vieille Vigne du Levant” is a remarkable Champagne with the structure to age beautifully. The 2014 vintage imbues it with an elegant balance of concentration and freshness, making this cuvée a standout choice for serious Champagne enthusiasts seeking depth, complexity, and longevity.

More about this wine

Grapes | 100% Chardonnay

Vineyards | 100% Cramant from 60-80-year-old vines, which are (uniquely) located on the east-facing side of the Cramant hill. “Levant” references sun rising (lever) in the east. Pierre first produced this single vineyard wine in 1988, making it among the earliest single-parcel wines in the region. Farmed biodynamically.

Vinification | natural yeast fermentation in 60% barriques and 40% foudres; sur lie until end of June; bottled unfined & unfiltered; 2 gr/l dosage

Disgorgement: September 2023


The story of the Larmandier-Bernier estate goes back centuries, but things only really got interesting after the late 1980s, when Pierre Larmandier took over. He immediately moved towards sustainable (and eventually, biodynamic) viticulture and indigenous fermentation, putting this estate well ahead of the current set of like-minded grower-producers.

Now Larmandier-Bernier is, according writer Peter Liem, "one of the finest producers in the Côte des Blancs", garnering rave reviews not just from Liem but other top critics like Vinous' Antonio Galloni.

The wines are unified stylistically, with chalky cores and delicate, lifted citrus and floral notes that seem drawn in pastel. But there are also strong differences, a testament to the distinct personalities within the Côtes des Blancs.

Professional Reviews

Robert Parker

RP 95
"The newly released 2014 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant unwinds in the glass with aromas of crisp stone fruit, freshly baked bread, white flowers, buttery pastry and clear honey. Full-bodied, pillowy and chiseled, with a sweet core of fruit, tangy acids and a penetrating, electric finish, it's a terrific success." -Robert Parker

Champagne

Champagne boasts some of the world’s greatest luxury brands with Krug, Cristal and, of course, Dom Perignon. But it’s also home to hundreds of small dynamic producers—farmers who grow their own grapes (often organically) and make (often with natural methods) tiny amounts of pure and absolutely delicious wine that reflect the individual personalities of their villages and terroirs. Toast with these wines, for sure. But also treat them like the great wines they are: taste, drink, explore!

Customer Reviews

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