Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Longitude Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Base 2020 Disg Feb 24, Champagne

The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru is a powerful, ample wine. The Longitude builds beautifully in the glass, creamy and textured, with tons of resonance. Pear, white pepper, dried flowers, mint and chalk are all delineated in a Champagne that blends power and tension. This is all class.

94 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Based on the 2020 vintage, the new release of Larmandier's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Longitude wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet citrus fruit, fresh pastry, green apple and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, its satiny attack segues into a racy, broad-shouldered mid-palate, concluding with a chalky finish.

92 points William Kelley robertparker.com

Base 2020 Disg Feb 24

Like this grower’s Latitude, Longitude is 100% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay—the vineyards are in Cramant, Avize, Oger and Vertus—but from thinner topsoils, 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 that comes from the chalky soils, i.e. a more linear, mineral wine. 

While Larmandier’s Latitude is expansive across the palate, Longitude is all about minerality, line and raciness. “We are aiming for more tension than in the past,” explains Pierre Larmandier, citing his northwest-facing vines in Cramant as bringing fresh spine to the density of his Vertus fruit. 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% from a ‘perpetual’ reserve started in 2004) should leave you with little doubt as to the quality on offer.

Larmandier Bernier Premier Cru Longitude Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Base 2020 Disgorged February 2024 is a razor-sharp, mineral-laced Champagne that showcases the refined energy of Côte des Blancs Chardonnay at its most expressive. Sourced from Premier Cru villages—Vertus, Oger, Avize and Cramant—all lying along the same limestone-rich line, it’s named “Longitude” for both its geography and its linear, focused character.

Made entirely from biodynamically farmed Chardonnay, this cuvée reflects the Larmandier family's dedication to purity, precision, and sense of place. Fermentation is with wild yeasts, ageing takes place in a mix of neutral oak and stainless steel, and there’s no fining or filtration. With zero or very low dosage at disgorgement, this Champagne speaks straight from the vineyard.

The nose is elegant and lifted—lemon zest, white flowers, crushed oyster shell and a subtle touch of brioche. On the palate, it’s taut and chalky, with fine bubbles, crisp green apple, citrus oil and a saline edge that carries through a long, stony finish. It’s dry, refreshing and structured, with a vibrancy that reflects the cool 2020 base vintage.

A brilliant match for oysters, fresh sashimi, caviar or triple cream cheese. For lovers of Blanc de Blancs with edge, purity and poise, this is Champagne at its most honest and focused.