Larmandier-Bernier Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut Grand Cru 2014
100% Chardonnay | Cramant Grand Cru | Extra Brut
One of Larmandier-Bernier’s most profound and sought-after Champagnes, Vieille Vigne du Levant is a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs produced entirely from old-vine Chardonnay in the Grand Cru village of Cramant. The parcel, known as Bourron du Levant, faces east toward the rising sun, producing grapes of remarkable concentration, ripeness and mineral intensity.
Expert Reviews
95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2014 Blanc de Blancs Vieille Vigne du Levant, disgorged in March 2023, rises from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, peach and pear, mingled with notes of freshly baked bread. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, with a deep core of fruit, considerable tension, racy acidity and a precise, saline finish. Expect a slightly more powerful and more giving rendition than the 2013 and simultaneously a touch more tensile.
94 Vinous: The 2014 Extra Brut Vieilles Vignes de Levant Grand Cru is a gorgeous, vinous Champagne. It emerges from 60-to-80-year-old vines on Cramant's east-facing slope. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, menthol and dried flowers are all signs of a Champagne that has arrived at its peak of maturity. Even so, the balance here is exquisite. Readers seeking Champagne with a bit of bottle-age complexity will adore this. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: September 2023.
The vines are approximately 60 to more than 85 years old, with deep root systems that penetrate the chalk-rich soils of the Côte des Blancs. Farmed naturally according to the estate’s long-standing biodynamic philosophy, these old vines give the wine exceptional depth and complexity while retaining the precision and energy that define Larmandier-Bernier.
Following gentle pressing, the juice undergoes spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in Stockinger casks and vats. The wine is matured on its lees during its first year without fining or filtration, followed by extended bottle aging in the estate’s cool cellars. As a true vintage, single-parcel Champagne, there is no blending with other years or vineyard sites. Dosage is an exceptionally low 2 g/L, allowing the character of Cramant and the old vines to remain at the forefront.
Tasting Notes
Deep, vinous and beautifully concentrated, the 2014 opens with citrus oil, ripe pear and peach alongside notes of freshly baked bread. With air, more mature nuances of tangerine peel, hazelnut, dried flowers, spice and subtle menthol emerge. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, combining remarkable richness with racy acidity and striking tension. A pronounced chalky, saline mineral character carries through the exceptionally long, precise finish.
This is a Champagne of both power and refinement, showing the complexity of mature old-vine Chardonnay without sacrificing freshness. Delicious now for its developed character, it also has the structure and concentration for continued aging.
Food Pairing
Superb on its own as a contemplative aperitif, Vieille Vigne du Levant is equally impressive at the table. Pair with roast poultry, chicken with morels, lobster, scallops, turbot, creamy seafood dishes or other preparations with rich cream-based sauces
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Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
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Country: France
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Region: Champagne
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Sub-Region: Côte des Blancs
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Village: Cramant
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Classification: Grand Cru
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Wine Type: Champagne / Sparkling Wine
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Style: Blanc de Blancs
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Dosage: Extra Brut — 2 g/L
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Vintage: 2014
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Vineyard: Bourron du Levant
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Farming: Biodynamic / naturally farmed
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Vine Age: Approximately 60 to 85+ years
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Bottle Size: 750ml
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Producer: Larmandier-Bernier
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