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Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée NV (Base 19. Disg. Sep 2021)

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Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée NV (Base 19. Disg. Sep 2021)
Producer Champagne Larmandier-Bernier
Region, Country Champagne, France
Bottle Size 750ml
Product Code 20633-750

Disgorged September 2021. The Rosé de Saignée is drawn mostly from what are thought to be the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Vertus (45 years old), and one of this village’s very last 100% Pinot vineyards. In fact, the vineyard is a co-planted blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris, with both varieties contributing to this wine. The grapes are allowed to macerate for a period before the juice is drawn off, providing the wine’s colour and much of its body and flavour. This saignée technique is now rare in Champagne, primarily as it is a demanding method of vinification and requires grapes with an excellent degree of maturity. Most rosé in Champagne is made with the addition of a little red wine. Vive la différence! As with all Larmandier’s wines, it fermented naturally. Part of this cuvée was raised in a Nomblot concrete egg and part in stainless steel. More recently, Larmandier has also been trialling amphorae designed by Mizel Riouspeyrous from Domaine Arretxea.

It’s one of Champagne’s wow wines, repeatedly compared to a Chambolle-Musigny. In short, it’s a Champagne that can stop drinkers in their tracks. The 2019 is an exceptional release built on energy and crystalline tension. Although it drinks beautifully on its own, it has the depth to go with smoked or grilled salmon. Yes, do that—you won’t regret it! This bottling was disgorged with a discreet dosage of 3 g/L. It is a superb release that will be even better with a year or two in the cellar.

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée NV (Base 19. Disg. Sep 2021)

Reviews

Note: This review refers to a later disgorgement “The NV (2019) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée is beautifully cut and chiseled in this release. There's plenty of saignée Pinot intensity, but tons of energy and drive too. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, blood orange, pomegranate and dried flowers flesh out over time, but it is the wine's vibrancy that I find most captivating. The 2019 is 100% Pinot Noir from 45+-year-old vines in Vertus. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2022.”
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Based on the 2019 vintage, the new NV Extra-Brut Rosé de Saignée is a rich, gastronomic wine, delivering aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with notions of kirsch, warm spices and petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with racy acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it's a vinous Champagne that would work well at table.”
93 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

Reviews

Note: This review refers to a later disgorgement “The NV (2019) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée is beautifully cut and chiseled in this release. There's plenty of saignée Pinot intensity, but tons of energy and drive too. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, blood orange, pomegranate and dried flowers flesh out over time, but it is the wine's vibrancy that I find most captivating. The 2019 is 100% Pinot Noir from 45+-year-old vines in Vertus. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2022.”
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Based on the 2019 vintage, the new NV Extra-Brut Rosé de Saignée is a rich, gastronomic wine, delivering aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with notions of kirsch, warm spices and petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with racy acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it's a vinous Champagne that would work well at table.”
93 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

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