From: Cote des Blancs, Champagne, France

Blend: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir

One of the most underrated estates in the Côte des Blancs, the Guy Larmandier name is a testament to finesse over power. The style is dominated by Chardonnay from the village of Vertus, the over-performing Premier Cru and where the legendary houses (like Bollinger, Taittinger, and Roederer) also farm and source grapes. Following the traditional practice of blending, it's a splash of red wine made from Pinot Noir that gives this rosé its eye-candy hue and mouthwatering red fruits. Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant, all Guy Larmandier Champagnes are left on their lees until destined for the US market, to ensure integrity and freshness. Bottled unfined with a minimal dosage (6 g/l), the purity of terroir unrolls in the glass and sums-up the very best of Vertus — cold chalk, baked clay, and a hint of citrusy spice.

Vertus Brut Rosé 1er Cru (this wine): Larmandier’s Vertus Rosé has always been exemplary, a happy marriage of Cote des Blancs elegance and ripe, succulent red fruit. While interesting, we found the experimental zero-dosage version of the rose sacrificed too much of that nicely caressing texture, and thus this cuvee will remain as it has always been—with around six grams per liter dosage. In keeping with the traditional method by which most rosé Champagne is made, Larmandier Rosé blends a splash of red wine into a base of white wine—in this case, Pinot Noir vinified as a red constitutes 15% of the final blend.

The winery. The cellars of Champagne Guy Larmandier are located in the village of Vertus at the southern base of the Cote des Blancs. This estate owns 9 hectares of vineyards, all located within the Cote des Blancs and distributed amongst the Grand Cru rated villages of Chouilly and Cramant and the 1er Cru rated vineyards of Vertus and Cuis. We have worked with Guy Larmandier and his wife and children since 1982.
Guy Larmandier established this domaine which, following his death, is now supervised by his wife, Colette, and their two children, Francois and Marie-Helene. Annual production is on the order of 90,000 bottles. Harvest is conducted manually, the Champagnes are aged a minimum of 36 months on the lees and the Champagnes destined for the US market are disgorged on order and receive a minimal dosage so as to emphasize the purity and finesse of this special terroir.