Description
As mentioned, this is both a personal pet favorite value play, as well as a wine that William Kelley calls one of his two personal favorite house Champagnes; Galloni just blew this up with a big score to boot.. In contrast, the Longitude (that Pierre shorthand refers to as “Lon-G”) is a more “serious” cuvée made from chalk/limestone dominant soils in Vertus that bring more tension and verticality. This cuvée plays right into my rockhead, tension loving preferences, as it is positively weightless and mouth watering; the precision and class are just tremendous. The release which we tasted in December 2019 was from a 2016 base, and continues its track record of being one of the most exceptional and consistent value plays in Champagne…Value hounds shouldn’t miss either of these entry level wines, as they are masterfully executed, and illustrate exactly what the Larmandiers are going for.
“Disgorged in December 2018 and based on the 2015 vintage, the latest release of NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Longitude is showing very well indeed, opening in the glass with a classy and youthfully reserved bouquet of lemon oil, freshly baked bread, crisp yellow orchard fruit and wet chalk. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, elegantly textural and concentrated, with racy acids, terrific tension and a pinpoint mousse. This new disgorgement is especially harmonious and complete. Longitude is routinely one of the region’s finest values; indeed, along with Egly-Ouriet’s VP bottling, this is one of my two “house” Champagnes.” 93 William Kelley for the 2015 base, NOT THE 2018 BASE OFFERED HERE.
“The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru comes across as a bit closed and narrow today. I would give it 6-12 months in bottle to come together. Citrus, dried flowers, mint, spice and marzipan all open in the glass. The Longitude is powerful, but also inward. This release is 60% 2018 and 40% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 2004. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2021.” 92 Antonio Galloni
