2017 Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs

A pure and striking expression of Chardonnay from the home terroir of one of Champagne's most celebrated biodynamic grower-producers. The 2017 Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs is a single-vineyard Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs from Vertus — the village where Pierre and Sophie Larmandier farm and make their wines — expressing the elegance, linearity and mineral depth of Vertus terroir through Larmandier-Bernier's celebrated biodynamic winemaking philosophy.

Terre de Vertus — "land of Vertus" — a deeply personal expression of the home terroir. From Pierre and Sophie Larmandier — one of Champagne's most celebrated biodynamic grower-producers, farming biodynamically in Vertus on the Côte des Blancs. The most accessible Blanc de Blancs in the Larmandier-Bernier range at Liquid Vibe. 95 points The Wine Front — outstanding value at $300 (on sale from $320).

95 Points – The Wine Front

Vertus, Premier Cru, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France

$300 a bottle (on sale from $320)
Terre de Vertus • 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs • Larmandier-Bernier • Vertus

"Terre de Vertus — land of Vertus. Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's deeply personal expression of their home terroir — pure, linear and mineral-driven Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs. 95 points The Wine Front."

About Terre de Vertus

Terre de Vertus — "land of Vertus" — is Larmandier-Bernier's most personal and home-terroir expression, a single-vineyard Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs from Vertus, the village where Pierre and Sophie Larmandier are based. Vertus is one of the most celebrated Premier Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs — producing Chardonnay of extraordinary elegance, linearity and mineral depth. As the most accessible Blanc de Blancs in the Larmandier-Bernier range, Terre de Vertus is the perfect introduction to Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's biodynamic philosophy and the extraordinary terroir of the Côte des Blancs.

The Complete Larmandier-Bernier Range at Liquid Vibe

Five extraordinary expressions from one of Champagne's most celebrated biodynamic grower-producers:

• Terre de Vertus 2017 (Vertus 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs) — 95pts The Wine Front. The home terroir. Most accessible Blanc de Blancs. $300.
• 1er Cru Blanc de Noirs 2015 (Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs) — 18.5/20 Jancis Robinson. Pure Pinot Noir power and elegance. $310.
• Les Chemins d'Avize 2015 (Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs) — 96pts The Wine Front, 95pts Vinous. Richer, more generous. $410.
• Les Chemins d'Avize 2016 (Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs) — 96pts Wine Advocate. Tensile, mineral precision. $450.
• Vieille Vigne du Levant 2015 (Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs) — 96pts WA, 95pts WF, 95pts Vinous. Old-vine richness and depth. $450.

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 Champagne of extraordinary quality and terroir expression through natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, partial oak maturation, extended lees aging and low dosage.

Winemaking

The Terre de Vertus is made exclusively from Chardonnay from a single Premier Cru vineyard in Vertus. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, and partial vinification in oak barrels adds texture and depth. Extended lees aging enhances complexity and finesse, while low dosage preserves the wine's tension and pure expression of Vertus 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 elegantly expressive with:

• lemon zest, orchard fruits and almond — the hallmark of great Vertus Chardonnay
• delicate floral notes and a chalky edge
• subtle brioche — from extended lees aging and partial oak
• the linearity and mineral depth that defines great Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Blancs

Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary aromatic purity — the citrus freshness and chalky mineral precision of Vertus Chardonnay beautifully integrated with the brioche richness of extended lees aging.

Palate:
Focused and precise with extraordinary clarity.
Expect layers of:

• citrus, white peach and lemon zest
• subtle brioche complexity and almond
• chalky mineral character and fine mineral backbone
• crystalline acidity delivering extraordinary tension, purity and length

The wine delivers Chardonnay purity with Premier Cru mineral elegance, combining Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's celebrated biodynamic winemaking with Vertus' extraordinary Premier Cru terroir and the low dosage that preserves the wine's extraordinary purity.

Finish:
Long and mineral-driven with crystalline purity, refreshing tension and the extraordinary elegance that defines great Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Blancs.

Critical Acclaim

95pts – The Wine Front

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2017
• Variety: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
• Vineyard: Single vineyard, Vertus Premier Cru
• Classification: Premier Cru
• Region: Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
• Winemakers: Pierre and Sophie Larmandier
• Style: Biodynamic, indigenous yeasts, partial oak, extended lees aging, low dosage
• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
• Cellaring: Drink now – 2035+ (drinking beautifully now; will continue to develop)

Food Pairings

• Fresh oysters — the classic pairing for great Blanc de Blancs
• Scallops and sashimi
• Creamy poultry dishes
• Soft cheeses — brie or camembert
• Light seafood pasta
• As a sophisticated aperitif

Why We Love It

This is a pure and striking expression of Chardonnay from the home terroir of one of Champagne's most celebrated biodynamic grower-producers — Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's deeply personal Terre de Vertus. 95 points The Wine Front.
At $300 (on sale from $320), it is the most accessible Blanc de Blancs in the Larmandier-Bernier range and the perfect introduction to one of Champagne's most extraordinary biodynamic grower-producers.

Start here — then explore the Grand Cru expressions above.