Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1500ml Magnum

The Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is a single-varietal Chardonnay from Vertus on the Côte des Blancs, here in magnum. Bright, dry and chalky, it shows its origin without detour, and the four grams of dosage take nothing away from that.

The vines grow in the somewhat flatter, warmer vineyards south of Vertus. Larmandier-Bernier farms 16 hectares across 17 parcels along the Côte des Blancs, from Vertus to Avize, on pure chalk. The warmth of the southern parcels remains audible in the wine: it lends it richness and depth.

100 percent Chardonnay. The Latitude, formerly called Tradition, is a cuvée of wines from up to six vintages. Pierre Larmandier took over the estate in 1982, banned herbicides in 1992, and completed the full conversion to biodynamic farming in 1999. Fermentation happens spontaneously with natural yeasts, without filtration or fining; ageing takes place in large wooden casks from the Austrian cooperage Stockinger. After more than 24 months sur lattes, the wine is disgorged.

Clear and herbaceously spiced on the nose, with chalk, citrus freshness, a slightly bitter whiff of tonic water and fruit reminiscent of white strawberries. On the palate precise and pure, as one would expect from a young chalk-driven Blanc de Blancs, with a warm, juicy richness besides.

As an aperitif with puff-pastry parmesan sticks. At the table with citron carpaccio and scallop tartare or duck rillettes with brioche.

The 1500ml magnum, 12.5% ABV, made in a dry style. Since 2017, son Arthur has been working at the estate. The house even forgoes the capsule over the cork.