101 Champagnes and other sparkling wines to try before you die – Davy Zyw
LARMANDIER-BERNIER, TERRE DE VERTUS
Since 1988 Sophie and Pierre Larmandier have been making spectacular and individual champagne from their vineyards dotted down the spine of the chalk-drenched Côte des Blancs. (…)
Their mission: showcasing the unique terroir and love affair between chardonnay and chalk in the soils of the Côte des Blancs.
The Terre de Vertus is a single-cru champagne, an expression of this single terroir and single vintage, which means the results will change from year to year. (…)
The results are unique and pure, more « vinous » or wine- like than many in the region, and you fully feel the authenticity of the vineyards and quality of fruit. Their wines are beautiful on release, but will age incredibly well if you can resist. (…)
Tasting note: Golden yellow in colour, the nose is super
toasty very creamy with mango-flesh sweetness. Ripe but
agile with some waxy honey, wild savory notes and an
edge of funk. Bliss! On the palate the depth of fruit is remarkable, more mango, pineapple, guava ripe but super chalky; you can taste the vineyard. Then foaming waves of soft, chewy salted caramel and buttered croissants crescendoing in a saline-edged cascade of gushing flavour. Bang tidy.