Champagne Larmandier-Bernier "Longitude" Extra Brut MAGNUM, Champagne, France NV

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THE WINE: This non-vintage cuvee known as Longitude replaces the wine previously referred to as Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru. The name references the fact that the vineyards form a line close to the 4th meridian. Longitude is also an allusion to the length and the very pure, frank and mineral style of these great terroirs, where the chalk is very close to the surface. The base wine makes up approximately 60% of the blend and is fermented in a combination of large, old oak foudres and neutral Burgundian barrels. The remaining 40% is reserve wine from a perpetual reserve started in 2004 and kept in stainless steel tanks after the first year in oak.

THE PRODUCER: Pierre Larmandier has long had a pioneering spirit. He took over his family’s Côte des Blancs estate in 1988, at which point the Cramant was designated as a single vineyard Champagne, an extreme rarity in the region at that time. As one of the earliest practitioners of biodynamic viticulture in the region, Pierre works to minimize yields. He does not fear ripeness, but rather, seeks maturity of sugars and acidity in search of balance – the holy grail in grape growing. Larmandier-Bernier produces reference point Champagnes that fully demonstrate the profound potential of low-/no-dosage bottlings that revel in their energy, purity and impeccable balance.