2015 Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut Nature Champagne | Rare Champagne

ONE OF THE RAREST CHAMPAGNES FROM LARMANDIER-BERNIER! OLD-VINE PINOT NOIR, PREMIER CRU VERTUS AND ABSOLUTELY ZERO DOSAGE!

18.5+/20 – JancisRobinson.com | 94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous | 94 Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

2015 Larmandier-Bernier Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature – Champagne, France

RRP $370 per bottle

This is one of the most fascinating Champagnes we have encountered from Larmandier-Bernier – and a wine that serious grower Champagne enthusiasts should be very excited about.

Larmandier-Bernier is one of the greatest names in grower Champagne, celebrated internationally for its extraordinary Chardonnay-based wines from the Côte des Blancs.

But this is something completely different.

100% Pinot Noir. Premier Cru Vertus. Old vines. Zero dosage.

And perhaps most exciting of all, this remarkable Champagne exists because of a decision made during the exceptional 2015 Pinot Noir harvest.

Rather than producing its famous Rosé de Saignée, Pierre Larmandier chose to explore the potential of these extraordinary old Pinot Noir vines through a Blanc de Noirs.

The result was an exceptionally rare Champagne with remarkable depth, power and individuality.

This is not a delicate, easy-drinking Champagne.

It is serious, vinous and beautifully structured.

Think red apple, sour cherry, wild berries, sourdough, toasted nuts and extraordinary saline minerality.

A Champagne with the presence and complexity of a fine Pinot Noir, but the freshness, energy and finesse of traditional-method Champagne.

At $370 per bottle, this is a compelling opportunity to experience one of the most unusual and distinctive wines produced by this legendary estate.

Larmandier-Bernier – One of Champagne's Greatest Independent Growers

Larmandier-Bernier is one of the most respected producers in the modern grower Champagne movement.

Based in Vertus, at the southern end of the Côte des Blancs, the family estate has become internationally celebrated for producing Champagnes of extraordinary purity, precision and vineyard expression.

Pierre and Sophie Larmandier helped establish the estate's reputation through an uncompromising commitment to vineyard quality.

The domaine embraced biodynamic farming in 1999, placing healthy soils, naturally balanced vines and exceptional fruit at the centre of its philosophy.

The wines are renowned for their mineral intensity, freshness and remarkable ability to express individual vineyard sites.

And while Larmandier-Bernier is best known for its exceptional Chardonnay Champagnes, the estate also cultivates a small amount of Pinot Noir.

The 2015 Blanc de Noirs is a fascinating demonstration of just how extraordinary that Pinot Noir can be.

Just 1.2 Hectares of Old-Vine Pinot Noir

The fruit for this Champagne comes from approximately 1.2 hectares of old-vine Pinot Noir in Premier Cru Vertus.

The vines are situated on the southern side of the village, where the soils contain a greater proportion of clay than many of the area's famous Chardonnay vineyards.

This is particularly important.

The richer clay-influenced soils provide a different growing environment for Pinot Noir, contributing to the structure, depth and distinctive character of the fruit.

These vines are normally associated with the estate's celebrated Rosé de Saignée.

But the 2015 growing season presented an unusual opportunity.

The Pinot Noir was sufficiently compelling for Pierre Larmandier to explore an entirely different expression of the vineyard.

Instead of Rosé Champagne, he made a white Champagne entirely from Pinot Noir.

And that decision created one of the estate's most fascinating releases.

The Extraordinary Story of the 2015 Vintage

The 2015 growing season was warm and dry across much of Champagne.

For Pinot Noir, the conditions offered the potential for ripe, concentrated fruit.

At Larmandier-Bernier, Pierre Larmandier felt that the timing of the harvest was better suited to a Blanc de Noirs than the estate's traditional Rosé de Saignée.

So he made an extraordinary decision.

Rather than following the established production pattern, he created a completely different Champagne.

A 100% Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs from Premier Cru Vertus.

This was not intended as another permanent addition to the estate's regular range.

It was a special expression of a particular vineyard in a particular growing season.

And that is exactly what makes grower Champagne so fascinating.

These wines are not simply manufactured to follow a familiar house style.

They reflect the decisions of the grower, the character of the vineyard and the individuality of the vintage.

The 2015 Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Noirs is a magnificent example of that philosophy.

Blanc de Noirs – The Power of Pinot Noir in White Champagne

Blanc de Noirs translates as white from black grapes.

In Champagne, it describes white sparkling wines made from dark-skinned grape varieties, principally Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

The grapes are pressed carefully to limit the extraction of colour from their skins.

The resulting wine can remain remarkably pale while retaining the depth and structure associated with dark-skinned grapes.

And Pinot Noir can produce extraordinary Champagne.

Compared with the citrus-driven precision of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir often brings greater breadth, red-fruit complexity and a distinctive savoury character.

In the finest examples, these qualities combine with beautiful acidity and mineral freshness.

The result can be spectacular.

This is Champagne for people who love Pinot Noir as much as they love sparkling wine.

Zero Dosage – Absolutely No Added Sugar

One of the most extraordinary characteristics of this Champagne is its complete absence of dosage.

ZERO DOSAGE.

Not simply low dosage.

Not Extra Brut with a small addition of sugar.

Absolutely no sugar added at disgorgement.

This is Brut Nature Champagne.

The natural ripeness and structure of the Pinot Noir must provide the wine's balance.

And that is what makes the 2015 so fascinating.

The wine possesses considerable depth and fruit concentration, yet remains exceptionally dry.

There is no sweetness to soften its structure.

Instead, the palate is driven by acidity, texture, savoury complexity and mineral precision.

This is Champagne in one of its most uncompromising forms.

Six Years on Lees – Extraordinary Depth and Complexity

The winemaking is another fascinating part of the story.

The base wine was naturally fermented and matured in a combination of large oak casks and vats.

It spent approximately eleven months on lees before being bottled for its second fermentation in July 2016.

The Champagne then matured in bottle for almost six years.

Disgorged May 2022.

And finished with zero dosage.

This extended maturation contributes complexity, texture and integration.

Think sourdough.

Toasted nuts.

Delicate pastry.

Savoury spice.

And beautifully fine bubbles.

But the most important feature remains the remarkable structure of the Pinot Noir.

This is a Champagne with genuine depth and an exceptionally distinctive personality.

Red Apple, Sour Berries, Sourdough and Saline Minerality

The 2015 Blanc de Noirs possesses a captivating combination of fruit, savoury complexity and mineral tension.

The aromatic profile brings together red apple, sour berry compote and delicate orchard fruit.

There is also an intriguing savoury dimension.

Freshly baked bread.

Toasted nuts.

Subtle smoke.

Herbal complexity.

And a beautiful saline character.

On the palate, this is a powerful and structured Champagne.

There is real concentration.

A firm, beautifully defined framework.

And remarkable freshness.

The mineral character is particularly compelling.

Chalky.

Saline.

Tense.

And exceptionally persistent.

This is not Champagne that relies on sweetness or soft, generous fruit.

It is a wine of energy, precision and extraordinary individuality.

For enthusiasts who appreciate the savoury complexity of serious Pinot Noir, it is a particularly exciting experience.

Critical Acclaim – A Champagne for Serious Enthusiasts

The 2015 Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Noirs has attracted considerable attention from leading Champagne critics.

94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

94 Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

18.5+/20 – JancisRobinson.com

A Remarkable Comparison with the Estate's Great Chardonnays

One of the most exciting aspects of this Champagne is the opportunity to compare it with Larmandier-Bernier's extraordinary Blanc de Blancs wines.

Les Chemins d'Avize expresses the remarkable mineral precision of Grand Cru Avize Chardonnay.

Vieille Vigne du Levant reveals the richness and concentration of old-vine Grand Cru Cramant.

And the 2015 Blanc de Noirs offers something completely different.

The power, savoury depth and structure of Premier Cru Pinot Noir from Vertus.

Three fascinating expressions.

Three very different personalities.

And one extraordinary producer.

For serious Champagne enthusiasts, tasting these wines alongside one another would be an unforgettable experience.

Magnificent with Fine Dining

This is a Champagne that deserves a place at the dinner table.

Its depth, savoury complexity and firm structure make it particularly suited to richer dishes.

Think roast duck.

Roast chicken with wild mushrooms.

Pork with herbs.

Veal.

And beautifully prepared game birds.

It would also be magnificent with mushroom risotto, aged Comté or delicate charcuterie.

For seafood, consider seared scallops or lobster with a savoury butter sauce.

This is a Champagne that can perform the role of a serious fine wine throughout an exceptional meal.

Serve it in a generous white wine glass rather than a narrow flute.

And give it time to reveal its remarkable complexity.

A Rare Champagne Worth Cellaring

The 2015 Blanc de Noirs is a particularly compelling wine for collectors.

Its powerful structure, natural acidity and extended bottle maturation provide a strong foundation for further development.

The Wine Front's published drinking window extends from 2025 to 2040.

With appropriate cellaring, the wine may develop additional savoury complexity and textural integration.

But this is already a Champagne of remarkable personality.

A magnificent bottle for a serious Champagne tasting, an exceptional dinner or a carefully selected cellar.

Why We Love This Champagne at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are constantly searching for wines that offer something genuinely extraordinary.

And the 2015 Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Noirs is exactly that.

First, there is the producer.

Larmandier-Bernier – one of the world's most respected independent Champagne growers.

Then there is the vineyard.

Just 1.2 hectares of old-vine Premier Cru Pinot Noir in Vertus.

Then there is the vintage.

2015 – a remarkable growing season that inspired an entirely different approach to these grapes.

Then there is the winemaking.

Natural fermentation, extended lees maturation and almost six years ageing in bottle.

And finally, there is the extraordinary purity of the finished wine.

ZERO DOSAGE.

Absolutely no added sugar.

Just Pinot Noir, terroir and the remarkable skill of one of Champagne's finest growers.

At $370 per bottle, this is a serious Champagne for serious wine enthusiasts.

But its rarity, extraordinary vineyard story and distinctive character make it a particularly compelling bottle.

If you love great Pinot Noir, exceptional grower Champagne or wines with genuine individuality, this is one you absolutely need to experience.

100% PINOT NOIR. PREMIER CRU VERTUS. OLD VINES. SIX YEARS ON LEES. ZERO DOSAGE.

2015 Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Noirs is one of the most fascinating Champagnes we are delighted to recommend at Liquid Vibe.

Wine Details

• Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

• Wine: Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature

• Vintage: 2015

• Region: Champagne, France

• Village: Vertus, Côte des Blancs

• Classification: Premier Cru

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Vineyard: Approximately 1.2 hectares of old-vine Pinot Noir

• Viticulture: Biodynamic

• Fermentation: Natural fermentation in large casks and vats

• Base Wine Maturation: Approximately 11 months on lees

• Bottling: July 2016

• Disgorgement: May 2022

• Dosage: 0 g/L – Brut Nature

• Style: Vintage Blanc de Noirs Champagne

• Verified Critic Scores: 94 Points Vinous | 94 Points The Wine Front | 18.5+/20 JancisRobinson.com

• RRP: $370 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Roast duck, poultry, pork, mushrooms, lobster, scallops and aged cheeses

• Serving Temperature: Approximately 10–12°C

• Cellaring: Published drinking guidance 2025–2040