Description
As I had mentioned earlier in the Rosé de Maturation description, I am a big fan of pinpoint precise, treble nature of the 2013 vintage, from a long and cool growing season. Among producers who get good natural ripeness in their grapes (of which Larmandier is at the top of the class), this combo of natural sappiness and brightness is my cup of tea and then some. After the 2012 was awarded with the highest rating of the vintage in the Revue du Vin de France, I was of the first people in the world to offer the wine. For this 2013, which isn’t to be commercially released until September, I am the first person in the world to offer the wine, Sophie graciously giving me the green light to do so yesterday…..In power and complexity, this stands as one of the benchmark bottlings of Grand cru Blanc de Blancs at its finest. Just as I had mentioned last year, this will be the best price that you will see stateside on this one…..
“Disgorged in June 2021, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2014 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize is still tightly wound, unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, almond paste, vanilla pod and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, it’s deep and concentrated, with ripe but racy acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, concluding with a long, chalky finish. This is a more charming, immediate rendition of this cuvée than its 2013 predecessor, but it will still reward at least a few years on cork.” 96 William Kelley
“The 2014 Extra Brut Les Chemins d’Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous. Rich, ample and potent, the 2014 possesses tremendous density from start to finish. Apricot, spice, dried flowers, graphite and lemon confit all build in a Champagne of enormous resonance. The pedigree here is evident. Chemins d’Avize is a blend from the Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits. It was vinified in neutral oak and bottled with dosage of two grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2021.” 95 Antonio Galloni
