2017 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Champagne – 95 Points

95 POINTS THE WINE FRONT! ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY ZERO-DOSAGE CHARDONNAYS!

95 Points The Wine Front | 93 Points Vinous | 93 Points The Wine Advocate

2017 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Premier Cru Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs – Champagne, France

RRP $330 per bottle

If you love the extraordinary precision, mineral intensity and complexity of the world's greatest Chardonnays, this is a Champagne you absolutely need to experience.

The 2017 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus is one of the great expressions of terroir-driven grower Champagne.

Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in a remarkable Premier Cru vineyard site in Vertus, this is a Champagne of extraordinary purity, precision and individuality.

100% Chardonnay. Premier Cru Vertus. Biodynamic viticulture. Single-terroir expression. ZERO DOSAGE.

And the critical recognition is outstanding.

95 POINTS – MIKE BENNIE, THE WINE FRONT

93 POINTS – ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS

93 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE

But what makes Terre de Vertus so special is not simply the critic scores.

It is the extraordinary relationship between the vineyard, the Chardonnay and the winemaking philosophy of one of Champagne's greatest independent growers.

This is a wine that celebrates purity rather than sweetness.

Mineral precision rather than excessive richness.

And genuine vineyard character rather than a familiar luxury label.

At $330 a bottle, this is a serious Champagne for enthusiasts who appreciate the extraordinary heights that Chardonnay can achieve.

Larmandier-Bernier – One of Champagne's Greatest Grower Estates

Larmandier-Bernier is one of the most respected names in the world of grower Champagne.

Based in Vertus, at the southern end of the Côte des Blancs, the family estate has established an extraordinary reputation for producing wines of exceptional purity, mineral complexity and vineyard expression.

Pierre and Sophie Larmandier were among Champagne's pioneers of biodynamic viticulture, embracing these principles in 1999.

Their philosophy is built around one central belief.

Great Champagne begins in the vineyard.

Healthy soils.

Naturally balanced vines.

Exceptional fruit.

And thoughtful winemaking that allows the character of each vineyard to emerge.

Rather than creating wines designed around a uniform house style, Larmandier-Bernier celebrates the individuality of its exceptional vineyard sites.

And Terre de Vertus is perhaps one of the clearest demonstrations of that philosophy.

Premier Cru Vertus – Extraordinary Chalk-Driven Chardonnay

Vertus is one of the most fascinating villages of the Côte des Blancs.

Located south of the legendary Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Vertus produces Chardonnay with a distinctive combination of freshness, texture and mineral complexity.

Terre de Vertus comes from two plots within the Les Barillers vineyard site, situated on the south-east-facing mid-slope.

This is an exceptional location.

The underlying chalk and limestone provide the foundation for wines of remarkable precision.

The vineyard is not necessarily renowned for producing the richest or most powerful Chardonnay.

Instead, its greatness lies in its extraordinary mineral definition.

The finest wines possess a beautifully crystalline character.

Tension.

Freshness.

And an exceptionally long, saline finish.

This is exactly what makes Terre de Vertus such a fascinating Champagne.

A True Expression of One Vineyard and One Vintage

One of the most extraordinary aspects of Terre de Vertus is its uncompromising approach to terroir.

There is no blending across multiple vintages.

No blending with fruit from other villages.

And no attempt to create a uniform house style.

The wine is produced entirely from the 2017 harvest and from its designated vineyard site in Vertus.

This allows the character of the vineyard and the growing season to emerge with remarkable clarity.

The result is a Champagne with genuine individuality.

A wine that could only come from this particular place.

And this particular vintage.

For serious Champagne enthusiasts, that is an exceptionally compelling proposition.

The 2017 Vintage – A Triumph of Vineyard Precision

The 2017 growing season was challenging across Champagne.

Frost, variable weather and disease pressure created difficult conditions for many producers.

Careful vineyard management and fruit selection were essential.

But the finest growers were still capable of producing remarkable wines.

At Larmandier-Bernier, the 2017 Terre de Vertus retains the distinctive mineral personality of its vineyard.

The wine is slightly more generous and approachable than some particularly taut vintages, but it maintains beautiful freshness and precision.

That balance is what makes it so exciting.

There is generosity.

There is texture.

But there is also extraordinary mineral tension.

This is a fascinating expression of a challenging vintage from one of Champagne's most talented growers.

Zero Dosage – Champagne in Its Purest Form

One of the defining characteristics of Terre de Vertus is its complete absence of dosage.

ZERO DOSAGE.

No sugar added at disgorgement.

No attempt to soften the wine's natural acidity through sweetness.

Just Chardonnay, terroir and the remarkable skill of the grower.

This places enormous importance on the quality of the grapes.

The fruit must possess sufficient ripeness and natural balance.

The vineyard must provide the structure.

And the winemaking must preserve purity without creating excessive austerity.

Larmandier-Bernier achieves this through exceptional vineyard work, thoughtful fermentation and extended maturation.

The result is a Champagne of remarkable transparency.

This is one of the great examples of why zero-dosage Champagne can be so extraordinary when the fruit and vineyard are exceptional.

Natural Fermentation, Oak Maturation and Six Years on Lees

The winemaking behind Terre de Vertus is deliberately sensitive.

The Chardonnay is gently pressed before undergoing fermentation with indigenous yeasts.

Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of old oak barrels and large wooden foudres, including Stockinger casks.

The wine matures on its natural lees, developing texture and complexity.

Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally.

After bottling for secondary fermentation, the Champagne spends approximately six years ageing in bottle.

This extended maturation contributes remarkable integration.

Fine bubbles.

Beautiful texture.

Subtle pastry complexity.

And a wonderfully harmonious palate.

But the vineyard's mineral character remains at the forefront.

The finished wine receives absolutely no dosage.

The result is a Champagne of extraordinary purity and precision.

Lime, Oyster Shell, Baked Apple and Extraordinary Saline Minerality

The 2017 Terre de Vertus possesses a fascinating aromatic profile.

Mike Bennie's 95-point Wine Front review highlights lime, oyster shell, baked apple, cinnamon, sourdough and preserved lemon.

Antonio Galloni identifies dried pear, crushed flowers, mint and chamomile.

The Wine Advocate emphasises lemon peel, honeysuckle, oyster shell and the wine's remarkable crystalline mineral character.

Together, these descriptions reveal a Champagne of extraordinary complexity.

Fresh citrus.

Delicate orchard fruit.

Beautiful floral perfume.

Subtle savoury spice.

And a remarkable mineral backbone.

On the palate, there is beautiful texture and concentration.

The oak fermentation contributes roundness, while the natural acidity provides energy and freshness.

The finish is long, dry and exceptionally saline.

This is a Champagne that combines the complexity of great Chardonnay with the extraordinary mineral precision of Premier Cru Vertus.

95 Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

93 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

93 POINTS – VINOUS

93 Points – The Wine Advocate

A Fascinating Comparison with the Great Grand Cru Chardonnays

For serious Champagne enthusiasts, one of the most exciting experiences is comparing the extraordinary Chardonnay wines of Larmandier-Bernier.

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

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

And Terre de Vertus offers something different again.

The crystalline purity, beautiful texture and extraordinary saline mineral character of Premier Cru Vertus.

Three exceptional expressions of Chardonnay.

Three distinct vineyard personalities.

And one remarkable producer.

This is exactly why the finest grower Champagnes are so fascinating.

A Champagne for Lovers of Great White Burgundy

If you love the greatest Chardonnays of Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet or Meursault, Terre de Vertus deserves your attention.

The similarities are compelling.

Exceptional vineyards.

Thoughtful oak fermentation.

Beautiful texture.

And an extraordinary ability to express terroir.

But Terre de Vertus possesses something entirely its own.

The mineral precision of Champagne's chalk soils.

The energy of its natural acidity.

And the complexity of extended traditional-method maturation.

This is sparkling wine with the depth, individuality and sophistication of a great white wine.

Magnificent with Seafood and Fine Dining

Terre de Vertus is a Champagne that deserves a place at the dinner table.

Its combination of mineral precision, citrus freshness and beautifully integrated texture makes it a magnificent partner for seafood.

Think freshly shucked oysters.

Seared scallops.

Crab.

Lobster.

And beautifully prepared white fish.

The wine's savoury complexity also makes it an excellent match for roast chicken, delicate mushroom dishes and aged Comté.

For something particularly memorable, serve it with scallops in a delicate butter sauce.

This is a Champagne that should be enjoyed in a generous white wine glass rather than a narrow flute.

Allow it time to develop and reveal its remarkable complexity.

A Serious Champagne for the Cellar

The 2017 Terre de Vertus possesses the freshness and mineral structure to reward careful cellaring.

Its natural acidity, extended lees maturation and beautifully focused palate provide an excellent foundation for further development.

With time, the wine may develop additional toasted-nut, pastry and savoury complexity.

But it is already a fascinating Champagne to enjoy today.

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

Why We Love This Champagne at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are constantly searching for wines that represent the extraordinary quality achievable by the world's greatest independent growers.

And the 2017 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus is exactly that.

First, there is the producer.

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

Then there is the vineyard.

Premier Cru Vertus – extraordinary chalk-driven Chardonnay from Les Barillers.

Then there is the winemaking.

Biodynamic viticulture, indigenous fermentation, traditional oak maturation and approximately six years of bottle ageing.

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

ZERO DOSAGE.

Absolutely no added sugar.

Just Chardonnay, vineyard character and the remarkable skill of one of Champagne's finest producers.

And the critics agree.

95 POINTS THE WINE FRONT.

93 POINTS VINOUS.

93 POINTS THE WINE ADVOCATE.

At $330 per bottle, this is a serious Champagne for serious wine enthusiasts.

But its vineyard pedigree, extraordinary purity and remarkable critical recognition make it a particularly compelling wine.

If you love great Chardonnay, exceptional grower Champagne or wines with genuine mineral precision, this is a bottle you absolutely need to experience.

PREMIER CRU VERTUS. 100% CHARDONNAY. BIODYNAMIC VITICULTURE. SIX YEARS ON LEES. ZERO DOSAGE. 95 POINTS THE WINE FRONT.

2017 Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus is one of the most fascinating Champagnes we are delighted to recommend at Liquid Vibe.

Wine Details

• Producer: Larmandier-Bernier

• Wine: Terre de Vertus Premier Cru Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs

• Vintage: 2017

• Region: Champagne, France

• Village: Vertus, Côte des Blancs

• Classification: Premier Cru

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Vineyard: Les Barillers, south-east-facing mid-slope parcels

• Viticulture: Biodynamic

• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts, old oak barrels and large wooden foudres

• Malolactic Fermentation: Natural

• Maturation: Approximately one year on lees before bottling, followed by extended bottle ageing

• Dosage: 0 g/L – Brut Nature

• Disgorgement: May 2023 for the reviewed release

• Critic Scores: 95 Points The Wine Front | 93 Points Vinous | 93 Points The Wine Advocate

• RRP: $330 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, crab, lobster, white fish, roast chicken and aged Comté

• Serving Temperature: Approximately 10–12°C

• Cellaring: Enjoy now or cellar carefully under suitable conditions