Champagne Larmandier-Bernier - Rosé de Saignée 1er Cru Extra-Brut

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, accompanied by their son Arthur, have been cultivating 16 hectares biodynamically for over twenty years. Few wineries in any region can boast such consistency at this high level. The range is remarkably well maintained and reasonably priced. Among the estate's legendary cuvées, vieille vigne du levant is unquestionably a benchmark for the Côte des Blancs. The style boasts creamy textures in which balance is a central value. In this discreet elegance, we often find the finest the Côte des Blancs has to offer. A sought-after address.

Decanter

About the wine:

The village of Vertus is unique in the Côte des Blancs for being home to a historic pinot noir plantation. Here, it is blended with a little pinot gris by Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, two Côte des Blancs stalwarts, to produce a striking rosé de saignée (obtained by macerating the pinot noir skins in the juice at the moment of pressing), with cherry and red fruit aromas. Absolutely bursting with strawberry and floral nuances, it nonetheless manages to retain a linear, concentrated energy and supple texture quite unusual for the style. A Côte des Blancs original.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Larmandier's NV Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Extra Brut, based on 2020, was disgorged in November 2022 with a dosage of two grams per liter, and is one of the deepest, most saturated versions of this cuvée to date. Offering aromas of wild plums, sweet berries and petals, it is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, with a deep fruit core and a rich, resolutely gastronomic profile.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Lovely fruit with hibiscus and rose bouquet notes. This is one of the finest Rosé de Saignée I've ever tasted. Full-bodied to the touch, with a caressing mousse and no hard tannins.

About the domain :

Although his family hails from Cramant, Pierre Larmandier has settled in Vertus, where he vinifies parcels spread across the Côte des Blancs grands crus, in Cramant (sumptuous cuvée Vieilles Vignes du Levant), Chouilly, Oger and Avize. The result is a magnificent Les Chemins d'Avize since 2009. Stainless steel, and to a lesser extent barrels, have given way to oak foudres in which vinification takes place without yeasting. The range emphasizes sustained work in the vineyard and the use of biodynamic treatments. We salute the frankness, intensity of taste and powerful flavors of this range, which may or may not be dosed.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

From Vertus soils that feature a deeper topsoil with clay, Champagne Rosé De Saignée NV's saturated pink hue is highly aromatic, opening with ripe aromas of black cherry, crushed flowers and a salty note. Made from 90% pinot noir and the rest pinot gris, from the 2020 vintage (but not labeled as 2020 because it wasn't aged long enough), it's full-bodied and juicy on the palate, with approachable fruit and a salinity that unites it well. Ripe and long on the palate, with a clean finish and lively mousse. With a ripe tannic structure, a soft texture and notes of nectarine and blood orange on the finish, this is a very pretty wine to enjoy over the next 10 years.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

From Vertus soils that feature a deeper topsoil with clay, Champagne Rosé De Saignée NV's saturated pink hue is highly aromatic, opening with ripe aromas of black cherry, crushed flowers and a salty note. Made from 90% pinot noir and the rest pinot gris, from the 2020 vintage (but not labeled as 2020 because it wasn't aged long enough), it's full-bodied and juicy on the palate, with approachable fruit and a salinity that unites it well. Ripe and long on the palate, with a clean finish and lively mousse. With a ripe tannic structure, a soft texture and notes of nectarine and blood orange on the finish, this is a very pretty wine to enjoy over the next 10 years.