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90POINTS
16½/20
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Brut Nature 2016
Côte des Blancs, Champagne, FranceBoth 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 into Biodynamics by 1999. Brothers George and Arthur are now steering the ship. This exceptional parcel of chardonnay, Les Barillers, has been vinified separately since 1995. It's located mid-slope (the sweet spot) in Vertus. Native fermented in Stockinger casks and 500L barrels, this remained on lees and headed to bottle without fining or filtration, which is rare in Champagne. This cuvée spent at least five years on lees and was bottled without fining or filtration, with 0 dosage, in May 2022. You can feel the wood depth and creaminess here shaping the doughy palate, with toasty green apple, lemon pith and peel on the core, finishing with chalk and salinity. At this point, this is missing the cut of the 2015, but I will revisit.Tasted: 09 November 2023Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| QC | $140.75 | 750ml | SAQ |
