Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant 2012 Disg. June 2021

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant is a grower Blanc de Blancs from old Chardonnay vines in Cramant, disgorged in June 2021.

Cramant is a grand cru of the Côte des Blancs, its chalk giving Chardonnay a taut, saline character that repays long ageing on lees. This cuvée was historically labelled Vieille Vigne de Cramant; only the name has changed, now taken from Bourron du Levant, the vineyard planted in 1960 that supplies the majority of the fruit. The balance comes from half a hectare in the neighbouring lieu-dit Le Fond du Bâteau, where the vines are around 75 years old. Pierre Larmandier's winemaking here follows the pattern used across the single-terroir wines: natural fermentation, full malolactic, twelve months in large Stockinger barrels and no filtration. What sets this cuvée apart is the time in bottle, a minimum of seven years on lees and closer to nine for this release, and the dosage is minimal at two grams per litre.

It is ready now and will develop for a further decade. Serve at 8–10°C in a white wine glass, with raw scallops, roast chicken or a mature Comté.

*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.