Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$135.00 $119.00
The old vines of the Levant face south-east and benefit from an exceptional terroir. They are between 60 and 85 years old. Their roots go down deep, and the diversity of the old vine stocks contributes to the complexity of the wine.
I was lucky to lock into just one case of this insanely good bottle from Pierre Larmandier in 2011 that Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate contends is one of the “wines of the vintage”. Kick off 2022 in style with this outrageously good Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs.
Revisited from the June 2019 disgorgment, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant continues to drink superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, peach, toasted almonds, white flowers, fresh bread and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it’s deep and fleshy, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. I have previously contended that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne’s wines-of-the-vintage in 2011, and every bottle I open seems to confirm that. Indeed, if one were to taste only his wines, along with those produced by a small handful of other growers, one could easily think very differently about this unheralded year.
Larmandier-Bernier numbers among the Côte de Blanc’s—and Champagne’s—finest estates. Based in Vertus, the Larmandier family farm organically and harvest late, vinifying the resulting wines in wood. The result is vinous, elegantly muscular Champagnes that are concentrated but precise. In a region that still produces far too many meager, brittle wines, Larmander-Bernier reminds us of the plenitude and texture of which great Champagne is capable. The range begins with two non-vintage Blanc de Blancs: Latitude, broad and charming; and Longitude, more chiseled and incisive. Next come three vintage cuvées: Vieille Vigne de Levant, from Cramant; Les Chemins d’Avize, from the eponymous village; and the Terre de Vertus. Two perfumed rosé de saignée cuvées complement the portfolio, now joined by small quantities of still red and white Côteaux Champenois. As remarkable for their consistency as their quality, any wine that bears this family’s label is well worth seeking out. -William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Out of stock
97 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Revisited from the June 2019 disgorgment, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant continues to drink superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, peach, toasted almonds, white flowers, fresh bread and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it’s deep and fleshy, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. I have previously contended that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne’s wines-of-the-vintage in 2011, and every bottle I open seems to confirm that. Indeed, if one were to taste only his wines, along with those produced by a small handful of other growers, one could easily think very differently about this unheralded year.
93 Points, Tasting Panel
“A debut variety for this label. Stainless steel fermented and aged for five months, it was pressed whole cluster, crémant style which resulted in fine acidity and an inner sunshine. Its just-sliced lemon- fresh nose sends one to a perfectly balanced palate. Melon, guava, and banana are glossy and clean. The stony mid-to-finish leaves a trace of terroir on the tongue.”
This one has always been my go-to for entertaining – I just hand everyone a glass upon arrival. The new batch of 2019 Barmes Cremant has just landed featuring a lot of freshness and energy, with a beautiful nose of green apple and Anjou pear with tinges of honey, white nuts and white flowers. The fruit is near perfect, richly concentrated with a creamy texture. The finish is endless, with the tiniest of bubbles, with a zippy acidity that makes it perfect with scallops, grilled swordfish.
This is a spectacular new release – a flawlessly crafted, high energy coastal Chardonnay from one of California’s hottest spots. As bright and refreshing as you could want, it hits with clean, pristine green apple fruits, pears and citrus notes with a hint of that limestone-influenced minerality creeping in on the finish. It’s a fantastic wine for summer, the perfect pair with mixed seafood, summer tomatoes, corn and freshly caught fish.
The 2019 Composition Chardonnay is stunningly complex. The nose is an impressive balance of floral notes, bright citrus, and pome fruits – a little bit rose laced into fresh, ripe pear. The location of the two parcels adds to the flavor dynamics. One block faces east towards Mt Hood and basks in the early sunlight; necessary for an extended growing season and complete maturity. The second, the North Block sits much higher in elevation upon a thin layer of soil and contributes delightful acidity. With those elements combined, the wine is stunning and unlike anything I’ve really laid my hands on from Oregon.
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