Larmandier Bernier Longitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru

The Allure

Crystalline, fiercely uncompromising, and pulsing with raw chalk energy. While the casual luxury consumer naturally defaults to the highly manipulated, heavily dosed, and chemically tailored blends of the giant Grand Marque Champagne houses, the enlightened collector seeks out Larmandier Bernier. Long established as one of the undisputed, pioneering gods of the Grower Champagne movement, the family treats their vineyards like grand grand cru gardens. Longitude is a blindingly pure, vertically driven masterpiece an intellectual, low dosage sparkling wine designed to bypass commercial sweetness in favor of absolute mineral tension and chalk soil truth.

Why It’s Exceptional

The Taste: A bright, shimmering pale gold pour showing an incredibly fine, persistent, and elegant bead. The nose is a breathtakingly complex masterclass in purity, erupting with crisp green apple, fresh lemon curd, and white peach, layered over complex top notes of freshly baked brioche, toasted almonds, and a distinct, smoky flintiness. On the palate, it delivers a razor sharp entry; its intense, citrusy stone fruit core is completely driven by a racy, thirst quenching acidity and an unmistakable, saline mineral grip that finishes intensely dry and chalky.

The Pedigree: 100% Chardonnay masterfully sourced exclusively from premier cru parcels that sit along the same north south meridian line (hence the name Longitude) in Vertus, Oger, Avize, and Cramant. Farmed using strict biodynamic methods since 1999, the fruit undergoes a highly artisanal, spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation in massive old oak casks (foudres) and stainless steel. Blended with 40% of the estate’s precious, perpetual reserve wines, it is aged on its fine lees for over two years before an ultra low, completely honest dosage of just 3g/L.

The Ritual: A magnificent, dramatic showpiece designed for high society celebrations and serious gastronomy. Absolutely eschew narrow, restrictive flutes; serve this in a wider tulip or a proper white wine glass at cellar cool temperature (around 10–12°C) to allow its complex, wood aged aromatics and deep texture to truly unfurl. While it acts as a show stopping apéritif, its bracing mineral structure makes it an elite match for raw oysters, line caught sea bass tartare, pan seared scallops, or a rich truffle risotto.

The Details

The Maker: Pierre & Arthur Larmandier / Champagne Larmandier-Bernier

The Origin: Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France

The Grape: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)

The Strength: 12.5% ABV

The Exclusivity: Biodynamic Grower Legend, 40% Perpetual Reserve Blend, Ultra-Purist Extra Brut (3g/L)

Drink now – 2032 Enjoyable immediately for its freshness and precision, but capable of developing further complexity over several years with careful cellar storage.