Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs NV

2019 base, disgorged December 2021. 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). The alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place naturally and there is no filtration. Bottles are matured over a period of more than two years are disgorged manually and dosed at low, extra-brut levels (in this case, four grams per litre) a minimum of six months before release.
 
Previous base. “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. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.” 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous