Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée 1.5L MAGNUM NV Base 19. Disg. Mar 2022

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée is made by bleeding the tank of macerating fruit from what are thought to be the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Vertus, in magnum.

Vertus is the southernmost premier cru village of the Côte des Blancs and the one with a meaningful history of Pinot Noir. Larmandier-Bernier draws this rosé from a vineyard of 45-year-old vines, one of the village's very last plots given entirely to Pinot; in fact it is co-planted, at around 90 per cent Pinot Noir and 10 per cent Pinot Gris, and both varieties go into the wine. The grapes macerate for a time before the juice is run off, which supplies the colour and much of the body and flavour. Saignée is now rare in Champagne, being demanding to execute and requiring very ripe fruit, where most rosé is instead made by adding a little red wine. Fermentation is natural, with part of the cuvée raised in a Nomblot concrete egg and part in stainless steel.

Drinking well now and capable of a decade in magnum; serve at 8–10°C with roast duck, salmon or charcuterie.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.