Willie Carter

9.2

When we talk purity and honesty in wine, Larmandier-Bernier instantly comes to mind. An attractive light golden robe and impressive perlage. The nose is instantly striking with plenty of green apple and butter. Lemon and limes along with marzipan. Chalky and fresh, this is one that you really should just sit with for a while and appreciate. The pastry aromas are absolutely killer here. The citrus fruit notes are really prominent over time. So pretty.

A biodynamic Blanc de Blancs from masters of their terroir. Stately and august while remaining approachable. It’s a wine you want to be effusive. Full of personality, charm, and complexity there’s such power and grace with this champagne. Brilliant acidity but there’s no way I would mark this as zero dosage if tasted blind. Laser like precision here. So classy and luxurious.

In the mouth, this is pure joy. Pure finesse and excellence. Terrific texture and balance. Citrus and slight toasted brioche notes. There’s a really nice streak of spice towards the end, especially on the second day. This champagne may not be right for everyone but it’s certainly right for me. I love this. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

My last of the 2014 Ultramarine’s. Sad day. Thankfully 2015s are up next, and I was able to secure extra 2016s during the release a few months back.

This was one of three bubblies (2010 Larmandier-Bernier VV du Levant, Egly Ouriet Rosé) opened alongside a lineup of some fun wines when a buddy, @Shawn R , was in town. As always, my experience with these wines is so unique. You can always tell this is like grower champagne from first smell and sip. Gorgeous golden color in the glass. I normally pick up aromas of cream soda with Ultramarine (aside from their rosé), but didn’t get that here. Caramel dipped golden delicious apples, spiced cider, brioche, a little shaved almond, sporting a gentle “oxidative” flair. On the palate it’s zippy and racy with a distinct herb crusted yellow fruit profile (which I get on some Heintz Chardonnays), alongside more apple, poached pear, and kiss of ripe red Berry fruits. There is also a backbone of limestone/mineral here. When compared to the Larmandier-Bernier, this drank more new world, though if I had tried this blind and not next to a true champagne, I may have been able to get there.

As an aside, we drank half of this bottle (and of the other two bubblies as well) and then put a champagne stopper on it to revisit the next day. Upon opening, the bubbles seemed to have diminish quite a bit and it drank closer to a still wine...and then 30mins later, it was like this roared back to life for one last hurrah, full of bubbles and totally vibrant. Not sure I’ve seen a bubbly do that before. The last glass on the second day was just as good as the first glass on the first day. — 5 years ago

with Shawn

Jonas Johansson

9.2

Favorite white under $8. Amazing balance and nose. — 8 years ago

Leandro Daher Carneiro

9.1

Vera good fruit fresa — 9 years ago

Tasha Drew

10

@Jason Hansen gives it a 10 — 10 years ago

Kristina Doxon

9.8

Grand cru still wine from a baller grower champagne producer. 2008 and amazeballs. — 11 years ago

with Elane, Steve and 1 other

Benjamin Michaud

9.1

Light fruit notes. Great before, during, and after a meal. — 5 years ago

Fredrik Finn

8.9

Clean, medium + intense aroma with a good concentration and nuanced complexity. Dark Bernier, cassis, blackberries, sweet plums, bell pepper and floral undertones; Lavender. A balanced portion of oak character with Sweet spices, tobacco, vanilla and a vague gravelly background.
Dry palate with a medium + acidity, medium + tannins with a balanced fruity texture. Despite opening with a good grip it lets you in rather soon, embracing and balancing the dark fruits and sweet oak on the palate. Dark fruit, vanilla and chocolate characters on the palate. A bit limping through the mid palate but regains its posture and walks proud over a medium + length and balanced finish. — 5 years ago

Charlie Gourlis

9.7

Caitlin says: “It’s a smooth ride from start to finish.” Peaches from start to finish. No other tasting notes. Exceedingly smooth. Light bubbles. Love it love it love it. — 6 years ago

Barry Bleske

10

One of my favorite Zin and vineyard — 8 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Probably degorged a while ago
Still very nice, creamy, pleasant, fresh, quite complex too.
I play safe with Larmandier-Bernier✌️🙏 — 8 years ago

Jonas Hartz

9.6

Kept this for a couple of years. And Wow. Beautiful magnum. Celebrating the opening of Jah Izakaya in Copenhagen — 10 years ago

Vivek Surti

Marketing Director Nashville Wine Auction

9.1

Had a few of these on the 4th. Super toasty, crushed green apple, awesome minerality — 11 years ago

Mitali P

9.1

Delish. great with food, a little too tart apple for drinking by itself — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

One of three bottles of bubbly (2014 Ultramarine BdN and 2010 Larmandier-Bernier VV du Levant) opened when a good friend, @Shawn R , was in town. EO is one of my favorite champagne producers, but this was actually my first experience with the rosé.

5yrs on the lees, disgorged mid 2019. Slightly orange pink in the glass. Initially, it was very razor sharp and intense. Jasmine, orange zest, and dried apricots on the nose. On the palate, the intensity picked up with a strong backbone of limestone, chalk, tangerine and some honeysuckle. When this paired with food, it showed its true colors with a touch more body and richness. Even more impressive was how much better this was on day two...likely a champagne that could benefit from a decant at this age. Much more creamy and showing more red Berry fruit like raspberries, rhubarb and also a little floral. Yeast driven notes didn’t appear until day two. Complex, intense and lots of potential. — 5 years ago

with Shawn

Ryan Hayward

9.6

An excellent blanc de blanc! Green apple and lemon on the palate with a hint of apricot. Pairs really well with dried apricots! — 7 years ago

Ian Hartsough

9.5

Delicious. Deep, and great from cool to room temp — 8 years ago

with Maddy and Elliot

Phil Jost

9.0

A fricking cool wine. Saline and sexy. — 9 years ago

Rich Reader

9.1

Cremant de Loire Bonnamy 100% Cabernet Franc from the right place en le methode plus belle. My favorite in this afternoon's bubble bash alongside of much more expensive bubbles like Larmandier Bernier "Terre de Vertus" premiere cru Chardonnay Champagne 2009 — 10 years ago

with Jacob

Andrew Quinn

8.9

Strawberries & more strawberries! — 12 years ago