Winemaker Notes
Previously, this cuvée was called "Tradition", a name that was chosen in the 1970’s by Pierre’s parents. The new name Latitude was selected since the wine is composed exclusively of Chardonnays originating from the same latitude: the south of Vertus, where Pinot noir was historically planted.
This is a generous terroir resulting in a round, rich, charming style, which still retains the characteristic pureness of the estate’s Champagnes. Pierre believes the wine posseses "pinot-like" characteristics such as red fruit flavors and bredth on the palate -- despite it being 100% Chardonnay -- which he attributes to this unique terroir.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is bright, punchy and full of mineral-driven intensity. Crushed flowers, lemon peel, sage, mint and crushed rocks build as this potent, intensely saline Champagne opens in the glass. This is impressive. As always, the Latitude is a Champagne built on textural breadth and volume, typical of wines from the southern sector of Vertus. This release is based on 2019 and 40% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 2004. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2022.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The bright yellow NV Champagne Latitude Extra Brut is composed of Chardonnay and was disgorged in September 2024. Opening to pure notes of quince and light tropical notes, with a hint of white flowers, lychee, and shortbread, it’s medium-bodied on the palate, fruity, elegant, and powdery, yet it retains its ripeness and a meringue-like quality, with a fluffy and refined mousse. I love where this is now, maintaining that light floral expressiveness.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Based on the 2022 vintage, complemented by a perpetual reserve kept in tank and disgorged in September 2024 with a dosage of two grams per liter, the new NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude is blossoming in the glass with aromas of pear, peach, lemon confit and freshly baked bread. It reveals a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy yet racy palate that is rich and giving, underpinned by ripe yet vibrant acidity and concluding with a long, resonant finish. As readers will remember, it derives from sites with deeper, clay-rich soils—mostly east- and southeast-facing—that yield sunnier, more muscular wines, a character further amplified in this dry.
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Wine Spectator
A racy Champagne, with flavors of baked melon, lemon curd and almond biscotti set on a fine and creamy mousse. The chalky underpinning defines the sleek finish. Drink now through 2020. 2,500 cases made, 150 cases imported.
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.
Associated with luxury, celebration, and romance, the region, Champagne, is home to the world’s most prized sparkling wine. In order to bear the label, ‘Champagne’, a sparkling wine must originate from this northeastern region of France—called Champagne—and adhere to strict quality standards. Made up of the three towns Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ, it was here that the traditional method of sparkling wine production was both invented and perfected, birthing a winemaking technique as well as a flavor profile that is now emulated worldwide.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
With nearly negligible exceptions, . These can be blended together or bottled as individual varietal Champagnes, depending on the final style of wine desired. Chardonnay, the only white variety, contributes freshness, elegance, lively acidity and notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers. Pinot Noir and its relative Pinot Meunier, provide the backbone to many blends, adding structure, body and supple red fruit flavors. Wines with a large proportion of Pinot Meunier will be ready to drink earlier, while Pinot Noir contributes to longevity. Whether it is white or rosé, most Champagne is made from a blend of red and white grapes—and uniquely, rosé is often produce by blending together red and white wine. A Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay will be labeled as ‘blanc de blancs,’ while ones comprised of only red grapes are called ‘blanc de noirs.’