Champagne Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Longitude Blanc de Blancs NV (Base 20 Disg. Nov 2022)

Disgorged December 2021. Like the Latitude, this is 100% Cte des Blancs Chardonnay (the vineyards are in Cramant, Avize, Oger and Vertus), yet the vineyards have thinner topsoils and so the vine roots plunge straight into the chalky bedrock. The name here refers to the vertical nature of the geographic locations of the vineyards as well as the style of wine resulting from the chalky soils of these sites, i.e. a more linear, mineral wine. While Larmandiers Latitude is expansive across the palate, the Longitude is all about minerality, line and raciness.William Kelley has called this wine one of the finest non-vintage bottlings to be found in Champagne, and the high ratio of reserve wines (40%), as well as the strength of this low-yielding vintage, should leave you with little doubt as to the quality on offer.