The Vieille Vigne de Levant is the first single-vineyard champagne that Pierre Larmandier first brought to the bottle in 1988. In the meantime, its original name "Vieille Vigne de Cramant" has changed into its current name "Vieille Vigne de Levant". The vines for this Grand Cru champagne come from Cramant from 57 to 80 year old vines from sites with a south-southeast orientation. Their deep roots guarantee the complexity and profundity of this wine.
The 2011 vintage shows itself powerful and expansive. Spring resembled summer, which in turn resembled autumn. Summer storms and hailstorms passed the vines without significant damage and filled the water reserves of the soils shortly before the harvest, which was accompanied by a heat wave. Spontaneously fermented in Stockinger fermenters and barrels, the wines aged on their lees for a year without fining or filtration until bottled the following July. This vintage champagne consists exclusively of the 2011 harvest and does not contain any reserve wines. After seven years of aging "sur lattes", it was hand-disgorged 12 months before its release to the market, and was shipped bone dry with a slim 2 grams.
Color
Bright straw yellow, radiant and clear with frenetic perlage.
Nose
The 2011 Vieille Vigne du Levant from Larmandier-Bernier appears calm and grounded. Balanced and thoughtful, it combines time, terroir and grape. Wrapped in plump warm autolysis notes reminiscent of salty hazelnut brioche, it is salty primed by oyster shell aromas. Smokily framed, the fruit stays thoughtfully in the background; cheeky chatter would clearly be out of place here. Some dried quince, light honey and candied lemon murmur sonorously in the background, spicy complemented by hazelnut shells, acacia and dark baked brioche along with cereal notes. A multilayered-complex kaleidoscope with delicately oxidative secondary aromas, whose aromatic golden shine is enriched by slightly copper facets in a brilliantly illuminated ring.
Mouth
Smartly parted in a tailored uniform and polished boots, he sets the pace and effortlessly plays every arena with his sovereign nature. The mousseux subordinates itself willingly to the overall appearance and functions primarily as a third aromatic dimension rather than as an effervescent, primarily haptic feature. Delicate toasted notes of nut and bread crumb are in joyful alliance with restrained fruit, fine spice and the fundamental bass of delicate oxidation. Complex and multilayered with a high aromatic density, the vinous style of the house ensures an even drinking flow, which can be increased to the extraterrestrial by adequate food accompaniment.
Food recommendations from Sebastian Bordthäuser
- Terrine of white and green asparagus with tarragon, peas and morel vinaigrette
- Leipziger Allerlei with crayfish
- Chicken fricassee of Bresse poulard with peas, asparagus and morels
Type | |
---|---|
Vintage | |
Variety | |
Content | |
Alcohol content | |
Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
Acid | 6,7 g/l |
Drinking temperature | 10° |
Parker points | 97 |
Manufacturer | Champagne Larmandier-Bernier, 19 Avenue du general de Gaulle, 51130 Vertus / France, Organic certificate: FR-BIO-10 |