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

Olivier Schutte

9.1

Straf, maar mooie zachte bitters en mooie spanning — 7 years ago

Thomas Sorbo

9.2

Perfect bubbles for Christmas with the family! — 8 years ago

Nora Grossman

9.2

100% Chardonnay 👍🏼 — 9 years ago

Thomas Stache

9.4

Irgendwie noch leckerer als andere Champagner. Fruchtiger? — 10 years ago

Roastmaster General

9.2

Detroit with the cru. Happy New Year. — 10 years ago

Bryant Bickel

8.9

Bright and balanced great acid showing through a shower of lemon and white floral notes — 11 years ago

with Brenton

John H Duncan

10

The only way to get thru SXSW! — 11 years ago

Paul Shaked

9.3

Toasty, apple, fine — 12 years ago

John Gallo

8.9

Gift from Joe. He purchased it in Vail. Crisp and cold! Very nice!! Would get again - if we could find it.  — 5 years ago

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

Ned Gray Creed

9.4

Lovely. Thanks SOMMSelect. Wednesday just got better. — 7 years ago

Laurie Ison

8.9

Fresh, crisp and perfect with oysters. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Since 1750 the Gimonnet family have been vine growers in the village of Cuis, supplying the great Champagne houses with grapes up until the 1930's recession, when sales fell. Today the estate is run by Pierre's sons, Michel and Didier, and in 1987 acquired the house of Larmandier Père et Fils based in Cramant. Classic BdB, light and refreshing, great balance, complex with perfectly ripe fruit, bubbles and mousse. Lingering finish with bright mineral ending. — 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

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

Charlie Evans

8.9

Nose was much better than the palate but some nice bubbles — 11 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

Vinny Eng

9.1

Friday mornings with Professor @edanch - Santa Cruz mountains Chard Sparkler. — 12 years ago

with Eric and Wolfgang

Andrew Robertson

9.5

Part of KTR’s 2020 birthday celebration at ranch. — 6 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

Greg Koslosky

9.2

Impressive coming right after Henriot Cuvée 38 the Larmendier is 2012 base . — 7 years ago

Ian Hartsough

9.5

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

with Maddy and Elliot

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

Leandro Daher Carneiro

9.1

Vera good fruit fresa — 9 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

9.4

Loving these wines, such great freshness/minerality/acidity/dryness, excellent Chardonnay. — 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

Matt Willette

9.1

Great Champagne! — 11 years ago

Kit H

9.2

2007
I've been extremely impressed with this house recently. It really deserves more attention. — 12 years ago

Renee Bourassa

Sommelier/Wine Director Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

10

Over achiever for sure... really cleaned up and exceeded expectations... reminded me of Selosse, MC, and even a little Larmandier... delivered on all points that counted. 2005. Sleeper. — 13 years ago

with John