12.06.16
Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV || 92 points “The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is a big, vinous wine. Bold, ample and large on the palate, the Latitude exudes power. Dried apricot, roasted nuts and spices are pushed forward in a rich, creamy wine that reflects the personality of these clay-rich soils on the southern edge of Vertus. With time in the glass, the Latitude gains freshness, volume and intensity. The current release is 60% 2013, with 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: January 2016.” Longitude 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV || 93+ points “Larmandier-Bernier's NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru is a powerful, tightly wound wine that captures the inherent energy of these soils rich in limestone and chalk. The trademark Larmandier-Bernier breadth comes through, but it is also tempered by the wine's tightly wound sense of energy. Citrus, orchard fruit, dried herb and crushed flowers all develop nicely. Above all else, though, the Longitude is a wine of mineral-driven intensity and focus. Ideally, readers should be prepared to cellar this edition for at least another 2-3 years. The Longitude is a gorgeous, striking Champagne, but it is also one of the most reticent wines in this range. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2014.” Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2010 || 93 points “The 2010 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Terre de Vertus 1er Cru emerges from the Barillers and Faucherets lieux-dits, both in Vertus. Powerful and tightly wound, the 2010 is a classically austere wine that needs more time in bottle so soften a bit. Still, it is impossible not to admire the wine's energy and creamy, polished feel. Lemon confit, sage, menthol, licorice and dried flowers infuse the virile finish. The Terre de Vertus is especially powerful, an impression that is reinforced by the choice to bottle with no dosage. The 2010 was aged and vinified in a combination of barrique and foudre. Disgorged: January 2016.” Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2010 || 95 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2010 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Chemins d'Avize Grand Cru is a total knock-out. Lemon peel, flowers, mint and white pepper are some of the many notes that race out of the glass. Vibrant, powerful and beautifully sculpted, the Chemins d'Avize oozes character. Powerful and yet also light on its feet, the 2010 is a striking wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. This is an especially vinous, powerful expression of the Côte des Blancs. Chemins d'Avize is a blend of fruit from the Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits. The 2010 was vinified and aged in oak barrels of various sizes and bottled with 2 grams of dosage. Disgorged: June 2016.” Rosé de Saignée 1er Cru Extra Brut NV || 95 points “The NV (2013) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Grand Cru is fabulous. Bright, floral and finely-sculpted, the 2013 simply exudes class. This is one of the more finessed recent vintages I have tasted of the Rosé de Saignée, but everything just works. Cranberry, mint, floral and spice notes meld into the super-expressive finish. Although a bit more restrained in its most recent incarnation, the 2013 does not sacrifice power or intensity. This is a wine of real pleasure. I would prefer to drink the 2013 sooner rather than later. But I can't imagine too many bottles will be around for more than a few years, as the wine is spectacularly delicious. The Rosé de Saignée is 100% Vertus Pinot Noir that sees 3 days on the skins and is aged in stainless steel. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2016.”
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