Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2009 Extra-Brut en Magnum - Larmandier-Bernier

Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2009 Extra-Brut en Magnum - Larmandier-Bernier

  Format : Magnum

Rank : 95/100 Parker

RANK

Incredible vintage = 95/100 Parker : "The 2009 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant is showing very well, wafting from the glass with aromas of lemon oil, orange, English walnuts, drawn butter and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, vinous and sapid, with a pinpoint mousse, excellent concentration and broad shoulders, underpinned by incisive but ripe acids and concluding with a long, saline finish. As Larmandier-Bernier followers will know, this bottling hails from a parcel of old vines—between 50 and 70 years old—in the lieu-dit Bourron du Levant in Cramant and matures for a year in barrels, large and small, before spending another seven or eight years sur lattes. It's typically the richest, most powerful wine in the cellar." William Kelley

ORIGIN

The old vines of the Levant are south-east facing and benefit from an exceptional terroir. They are 56 and over 80 years old. The deep rooting and the diversity of the old vines contribute to the complexity of the wine. They are, like the whole vineyard, cultivated naturally to obtain the perfect maturity. Since the creation of this cuvée in 1988, it has been necessary to explain the difference between "Cramant" and "Crémant". In order to avoid this confusion, the name was changed from "Vieille Vigne de Cramant" to "Vieille Vigne du Levant"! Indeed, the locality of this cuvée is "Bourron du Levant". As the Levant means East, the plot benefits from the first rays of sunshine in the morning. At Cramant, the Levant is very different from the vines on the other side of the hillside, which face west. The east facing side at Cramant gives particularly rich and powerful grapes, it is truly a magical place.

• 100% Chardonnay

• 2g/L Dosage

• 100% Cramant

BREEDING

The grapes are gently pressed and the juice very lightly settled and then directly put into barrels. The natural alcoholic fermentation (indigenous yeasts) and malolactic fermentation start spontaneously in the barrels and Stockinger tuns. The wines are aged on natural lees for the first year without filtration or fining. The bottling takes place in July without blending with other years - it is a vintage - and without blending with other terroirs - it is a plot. The bottles are taken down into the coolness of the cellars where the second fermentation and ageing on slats take place quietly for another 7 to 8 years. Each bottle is manually disgorged 6 months before marketing. The dosage is very discreet to better appreciate the balance and the great length of this cuvée (2g/l).

TASTING NOTES

This Champagne is to be tasted for itself as an aperitif, with poultry with morel mushrooms, the richness of this cuvée will happily match creamy dishes. It is necessary to take the time to let it open, then you will be able to appreciate its power, its complexity and its very great length. 

AGEING CAPACITY

To be kept for at least 2 years (it will gain in depth) and much more if affinities are found.