Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru 2014

Originating from our two vieilles vignes vineyards in the heart of Avize and the latest of our singular Champagnes, this distinguished cuvée should be tasted on “alone-together” occasions….

LES CHEMINS D’AVIZE has arrived to complete the range of singular (single-parcel) Champagnes. This approach began back in 1988 with Vieille Vigne de Cramant, continued in 1995 with Terre de Vertus and in 1999 with le Rosé de Saignée. Pierre and Sophie had known for a long time that the terroir of Avize deserved a singular cuvée. It was in 2009, thanks to the acquisition of a small press, that these two parcels were separated. They are situated in the heart of the village of Avize on the parcels named “Chemin de Plivot and “Chemin de Flavigny”.

It is from the soil here – very poor, with the chalk outcropping – that the 50-year-old vines derive delicate floral characteristics and a unique mineral density.

Grapes variety

100% Chardonnay

VINIFICATION AND MATURATION

The grapes are pressed gently, the juices are clarified very slightly and then go directly into wood. The natural alcoholic fermentation (indigenous yeasts) and the malolactic fermentation begin spontaneously in the Stockinger casks and vats. The wines are matured on the lees during their first year, with no filtering or fining being carried out.

The bottles are taken down into the coolness of the cellars and stacked on lattes, the second fermentation takes place and the maturation continues slowly for at least 5 more years. Each bottle is disgorged by hand 6 months before being marketed. The dosage is only 2 g/l (extra brut).

TASTING NOTES

This wine calls for a great dish such as delicately roasted lobster. A dense, elegant wine

WINE ADVOCATE – SEPTEMBER 2020 – 96 POINTS – 2013 VINTAGE

« Disgorged in October 2019, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with a lovely nose of citrus oil, fresh apricot, peach and pear, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it’s layered and elegantly muscular, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents. »