2015 Larmandier-Bernier Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize

The pinnacle of precision, depth and refinement in grower Champagne — and the 2015 expression of Larmandier-Bernier's most prestigious and celebrated single-vineyard cuvée. The 2015 Les Chemins d'Avize is a wine of extraordinary concentration, richness and depth — the warmer, riper character of the 2015 vintage delivering greater concentration and generosity than the more tensile 2016, with the same extraordinary chalky mineral precision and old-vine Avize Grand Cru purity that defines great Les Chemins d'Avize.

From Pierre and Sophie Larmandier — one of Champagne's most celebrated biodynamic grower-producers, farming biodynamically in Vertus on the Côte des Blancs. Les Chemins d'Avize is their most prestigious and age-worthy cuvée, produced only in the finest vintages from two exceptional old-vine Grand Cru parcels in Avize. 96 points The Wine Front, 95 points Vinous — outstanding value at $410 (on sale from $460).

96 Points – The Wine Front | 95 Points – Vinous

Les Chemins d'Avize, Avize, Grand Cru, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France

$410 a bottle (on sale from $460)
Les Chemins d'Avize • Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs • Larmandier-Bernier • Avize

"The 2015 vintage — warmer and riper than the 2016, with greater concentration and generosity. The same extraordinary chalky mineral precision and old-vine Avize Grand Cru purity. 96 points The Wine Front, 95 points Vinous."

2015 vs 2016 — Two Expressions of Les Chemins d'Avize

Both vintages of Les Chemins d'Avize are available at Liquid Vibe — two extraordinary expressions of the same legendary terroir:

• 2016 — 96pts Wine Advocate. Cooler vintage, greater tension and mineral precision. More linear and age-worthy. $450.
• 2015 — 96pts The Wine Front, 95pts Vinous. Warmer vintage, greater concentration and richness. More generous and approachable now. $410.

Both are exceptional. The 2015 rewards drinking now; the 2016 rewards patience.

About Les Chemins d'Avize

Les Chemins d'Avize — "the paths of Avize" — is Larmandier-Bernier's most prestigious and celebrated single-vineyard cuvée, produced only in the finest vintages from two exceptional old-vine Grand Cru parcels in Avize. Avize is one of the most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs — Champagne's heartland of great Chardonnay, where the region's extraordinary chalky soils produce Blanc de Blancs of world-class mineral precision, citrus freshness and extraordinary aging potential.

About Larmandier-Bernier

Larmandier-Bernier is one of Champagne's most celebrated and respected biodynamic grower-producers, based in Vertus on the Côte des Blancs. Pierre and Sophie Larmandier farm biodynamically with extraordinary care and precision, producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary quality and terroir expression through natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, partial oak maturation, extended lees aging and restrained dosage. Their philosophy of allowing the pure expression of the Côte des Blancs' Grand Cru terroir to shine through has established Larmandier-Bernier as one of Champagne's most exciting and celebrated producers of Blanc de Blancs.

Winemaking

Les Chemins d'Avize is crafted from 100% Chardonnay grown in two exceptional old-vine Grand Cru parcels in Avize. The wine is vinified with indigenous yeasts and partly matured in oak barrels to enhance complexity and texture. Extended lees aging contributes richness and finesse, while a restrained dosage preserves purity and transparency of terroir — a winemaking philosophy of extraordinary integrity and precision.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:
Pale gold with fine, persistent bubbles — luminous, precise and deeply inviting.

Aroma:
Pure and expressively mineral with:

• citrus zest, white peach and almond — the hallmark of great Avize Chardonnay
• brioche and chalky minerality — from extended lees aging and old-vine concentration
• the warmth and generosity of the 2015 vintage
• extraordinary depth from two exceptional old-vine Grand Cru parcels

Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs of world-class aromatic purity — the citrus freshness and chalky mineral precision of old-vine Avize Chardonnay beautifully integrated with the brioche richness of extended lees aging and the concentration of the 2015 vintage.

Palate:
Concentrated and layered with extraordinary depth.
Expect layers of:

• lemon curd, ripe pear and citrus zest
• subtle hazelnut and almond
• chalky minerality and crushed stone
• vibrant acidity delivering extraordinary tension, balance and length

The wine delivers old-vine Chardonnay concentration with Grand Cru mineral precision, combining Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's celebrated biodynamic winemaking with Avize's extraordinary Grand Cru terroir and the restrained dosage that preserves the wine's extraordinary purity.

Finish:
Long, elegant and mineral-driven with exceptional persistence and the extraordinary chalky precision that defines great Les Chemins d'Avize.

Critical Acclaim

96pts – The Wine Front

95pts – Vinous

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2015
• Variety: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
• Vineyard: Two old-vine Grand Cru parcels, Avize
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Region: Avize, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
• Winemakers: Pierre and Sophie Larmandier
• Style: Biodynamic, indigenous yeasts, partial oak, extended lees aging, restrained dosage
• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
• Cellaring: Drink now – 2040+ (drinking beautifully now; will continue to develop)

Food Pairings

• Fresh oysters — the classic pairing for great Blanc de Blancs
• Grilled lobster with lemon butter
• Seared scallops
• Roast poultry
• Aged Comté or Gruyère
• Creamy risotto with truffle

Why We Love It

This is the pinnacle of precision, depth and refinement in grower Champagne — Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's 2015 Les Chemins d'Avize, the warmer, richer expression of their most prestigious and celebrated single-vineyard cuvée. 96 points The Wine Front, 95 points Vinous.
At $410 (on sale from $460), it delivers outstanding Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs character and biodynamic grower Champagne excellence at an exceptional price.

Drinking beautifully now — and will continue to reward for decades to come.