Larmandier-Bernier : Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020 from Larmandier-Bernier

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep red hue with ruby highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with elegant aromas of red fruits, notably cherry and strawberry, underscored by chalky mineral notes characteristic of the terroir. Tertiary nuances evoking the forest complete this complex bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this still red wine displays a fine, well-balanced structure, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Red-fruit flavors mingle with a lingering saline minerality that hallmarks the expression of Vertus’s chalky terroir. The finish lingers with elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020 pairs perfectly with roasted poultry, fine charcuterie, and white meats. Its delicate structure and minerality also make it an excellent match for refined dishes.

Serving and aging potential

The Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Crafted for aging, this wine will gain complexity over time.

A rare, mineral Pinot Noir from Champagne’s Côte des Blancs

The estate

Founded in 1971 by Philippe Larmandier and Elisabeth Bernier, the House Larmandier-Bernier today extends across around 19 hectares of vineyards in Champagne, mainly located in the Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs. Since 1988, Pierre Larmandier has run the estate alongside his wife Sophie, joined by their sons Arthur in 2017 and Georges in 2021. Pioneers of biodynamics in Champagne as early as 1999 and Demeter-certified in 2003, they craft wines of great purity, fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in oak barrels, favoring an authentic expression of terroir.

The vineyard

The Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020 comes from very old Pinot Noir vines planted in Vertus, a Premier Cru village located south of the Côte des Blancs. This terroir rests on Campanian chalk soils typical of the region, giving the wines a distinctive chalky minerality. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, without herbicides or synthetic chemicals, promoting living soils and well-balanced vines. The old vines, some of which are over 65 years old, produce concentrated, complex grapes. This cuvée is produced under the Coteaux Champenois appellation.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Vertus Rouge Premier Cru 2020 were hand-harvested and then partially destemmed. A maceration of around twelve days enabled the extraction of color, tannins, and aromas. Alcoholic fermentation took place naturally thanks to the indigenous yeasts present on the grapes and in the cellar. The wine was then aged for around two years in old oak barrels, allowing the tannic structure to refine gradually and aromatic complexity to develop, without imparting pronounced oak notes.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir