Larmandier-Bernier 1er Cru Rosé de Saignée Base 2021 Disg Feb 24, Champagne

Vinified in 500-liter barrels, it reveals a bouquet of redcurrant, orange zest and cranberry mingling with spices. Medium-bodied and precise, marked by the vintage's acidic signature and concluding with a long, perfumed finish, it’s one of the more delicate editions of this cuvée—particularly when compared to its immediate predecessor’s exuberant aromatics and phenolic structure.

94 points Kristaps Karklins robertparker.com

Base 2021; Disg. Feb 24
 
The Rosé de Saignée is drawn mainly from what are thought to be the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Vertus (50+ years old) and one of this village’s very last 100% Pinot vineyards. In fact, the vineyard is a co-planted blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris, with both varieties contributing to this wine. The grapes are allowed to macerate for two to three days before the juice is drawn off, providing the wine’s colour and much of its body and flavour. This saignée technique is now rare in Champagne, primarily as it is a demanding method of vinification and requires grapes with an excellent degree of maturity. Most rosé in Champagne is made with the addition of a little red wine.

As with all the Larmandier wines, the rosé ferments naturally. While the wines were previously made in concrete egg and stainless steel, since the 2021 vintage, it has aged in large, used oak barrels for at least two years in the cellars. This is a single-vintage wine (2021) but not labelled as such as it is only aged for two years on lees. Again, this is one of Champagne’s wow wines, repeatedly compared to a Chambolle-Musigny. In short, it’s a Champagne that can stop drinkers in their tracks. A touch more delicate and racier than the 2020 before it, the new vintage is an exceptional release built on energy and crystalline tension. Although it drinks beautifully on its own, it has the depth to go with smoked or grilled salmon. Yes, do that—you won’t regret it!  This bottling was disgorged with a discreet dosage of 2 g/L. 

Larmandier Bernier Premier Cru Rosé de Saignée Base 2021 Disgorged February 2024 is a bold, deeply expressive rosé Champagne that defies expectations. Crafted using the traditional saignée method—where Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes are macerated for short skin contact—this wine delivers real colour, intensity, and complexity. It’s a serious, vinous style of rosé, made with precision and care by Pierre and Sophie Larmandier, long-time leaders in biodynamic viticulture in Champagne.

The fruit is sourced from their Premier Cru vineyards in Vertus, farmed without chemicals and harvested by hand. Fermentation is wild, taking place in oak barrels, with extended time on lees and no dosage added at disgorgement. It’s pure, vibrant and structured, showcasing both the richness of the fruit and the minerality of the chalky soils beneath it.

Aromas are layered and lifted—wild strawberries, blood orange, sour cherry, pomegranate, rose petal and a touch of spice. The palate is dry, textured and driven by savoury depth, bright acidity, and a fine chalky line that extends through a long finish. There’s power here, but it’s beautifully refined.

Perfect with charcuterie, duck with cherry glaze, rare tuna, or even something earthy like beetroot tartare. More than just a pretty pink fizz, this is a rosé Champagne with edge, soul and a whole lot of individuality.