Tell me about Larmandier-Bernier

WINE TALK
1

Today a price list of Larmandier-Bernier landed on my desk.

As I am thinking of stocking up on good Champagne for the next few years, does anyone have
experience with this producer and can tell me what they think ? Is this ageworthy or do I need
to buy higher priced champagnes ? Any other suggestions also welcome.

Prices (ex Domaine):
Tradition Premier Cru extra brut €25
Blancs de Blancs extra brut €27
Terre de Vertus non-dosé €32
Vieille Vigne 2004/2005 €42/43
Rose de Saignee €34

Any ITBers can recommend this ? I find the ex Domaine prices relatively high, I have found stores
who sell it cheaper which is actually very, very rare… [scratch.gif]

Cheers
Christian

2

I love Champagne from Vertus, recently had the BdB Extra Brut and it was energetically acidic and mineral-driven, which I loved. If you like your bubbly yeasty and rich (Bollinger) this wont be your cup of tea.

I’m not ITB, but I love their wines fwiw. I stumbled upon them for $34 locally but that was a blowout clearance, 27 euros for the bdb sounds good to me.

3

FWIW, I brought in the Saignee Rose to the store, and took it out of the box and had a moment of [swoon.gif]

It looks like cranberry juice. I’m not kidding. It gets huge scores, so apparently that’s not a reason to be scared. The prices you are being offered these at are excellent. I know the wholesale in US dollars for the Rose is over $60.

I have not had these wines since the importer changed.

4

There are more and more REALLY dark Rosé Champers these days. Don’t be afraid Luke, pour the DARK side!

5

Thanks for the info, especially about the style!

Has anybody experience in aging those ? Apparently Parker and Jancis like them quite a bit, but
that doesn´t tell me if I can keep them for a few years…

Roberto, as you sell them, you might have some arguments to buy them ? [bow.gif]
(What I mean is, I need a nudge to sign the damn order sheet)

Cheers
Christian

6

I still have a '99 Grand Cru Vigne Cramant. I love this producer. Biodynamic in their techniques and their champagne is a tad different in style than the more popular producers. You can you usually find the NV here in NYC, for $65.00-$85.00 a bottle. Thus your price seems more competitive, although I am not sure about the conversion rates.

7

Several fairly recent tasting notes. These may help…

Best
Rogov

Larmandier-Bernier, Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Vieilles Vignes de Cramant, n.v.: As sharp and crisp as you could want, with not a trace of sweetness here but with generous minerality and traditional Chardonnay pear, melon and citrus fruits on a lightly toasty background. Remarkably long and well balanced but primarily for those who like their wines almost puckeringly dry. Drink now-2010. Score 92.(Tasted 10 Mar 2008)

Larmandier-Bernier, Brut Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, n.v: Opens with a light doughy and yeasty sensation, that complementing citrus and notes of tropical fruits, all on a background of minerals and black tea. Intense and long, with a generous mousse and sharp, well-focused bubbles that go on and on. Drink now or in the next year or two. Score 90. (Tasted 10 Mar 2008)

Larmandier-Bernier, Rose Champagne, Rose de Saignee, n.v.: Made by the saignee method, that is to say, by drawing off a portion of red wine after only a short period of skin contact, and, although not stated on the label made entirely from grapes of the 2005 vintage. Dry but perhaps not fully brut dry, with its crushed berries, strawberry, watermelon and spicy flavors and aromas carrying a tantalizing hint of sweetness. Well balanced, a lovely wine as an aperitif or served with hors d’oeuvres. Drink now-2012. Score 90 (Tasted 11 Nov 2009)

Larmandier-Bernier, Vertus-Rouge, Champagne, 2005: A non-sparkling Champagne, made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes. A fine and somewhat amusing example perhaps of why the Champenois should stay with sparkling wine. Deep garnet towards royal purple, showing fruit forward cherry and wild berry fruits, those with a near jammy note, not so much focused as a bit flabby, but saved by spicy notes that rise from mid-palate. Not at all a “bad” wine but one that somehow fails to grab the attention. Drink now-2011. Score 86. (Tasted 11 Nov 2009)

P.S. I did not add the note about finding the wine on Wine Searcher. That was done automatically by the forum program!

8

Mike,

these are ex- Domaine prices for the end client in France, i.e. direct domaine sales. So in theory,
they should be competitive.

Rogov,
thanks for the tasting notes, very interesting. I usually like my champagnes a bit more fruity, but I am curious about
this producer, especially about their “non-dosée”.

Have sent off the order sheet today and will report back when I have tasted them. Thank you everybody !!!


Cheers
Christian