AOC. Champagne, France - 100% Chardonnay from a massive selection of plots of Chavot (Coteaux Sud d'Epernay) planted between 1953 and 1978 of shallow and light soils where chalk emerges flush with the surface. The harvest is done manually. After the soft pressing of the vintage, the must ferments spontaneously with its native yeasts in oak barrels where it is aged for 6 months with its fine lees. Does not perform malolactic fermentation. After almost 3 years in rhyme it is slaughtered by hand in november 2023 with 2-4 gr of dosage.
Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères Blanc de Blanc Millésime 2020 is a structured and powerful champagne while elegant and refined. The limestone and saline terroir emerges with remarkable elegance accompanied by notes of fruity, citrus, stone fruit, fermentative and autolysis notes such as butter, cookie in a vibrant and addictive set. Recommended by El Sommelier.
CHAMPAGNE LAHERTE FRÈRES LES GRANDES CRAYÈRES BLANC DE BLANCS 2020
Some Champagnes are crafted to represent a region, while others are born to precisely express a specific vineyard. Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères Blanc de Blancs 2020 belongs to this second category: a single-vineyard Champagne made exclusively with Chardonnay grapes from Chavot, in the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay, an area where chalk plays a crucial role in shaping the wines' character.
The story of this cuvée begins with Chardonnay vines over 35 years old, cultivated on a plot located on the mid-slope, facing west. The soils are light and rest on the characteristic Campanian chalk, which outcrops at a shallow depth. This terroir imparts to the Chardonnay a combination of tension, freshness, and mineral depth—elements that define the character of Les Grandes Crayères.
The grapes are harvested by hand and pressed using traditional methods. The must ferments in barrels aged between three and ten years, a choice that adds texture and complexity without masking the terroir's expression. Malolactic fermentation is omitted, preserving the wine's natural tension and freshness. It then remains on its fine lees for six months, gaining volume, depth, and a more refined texture. The winemaking process is completed with a dosage of between 3 and 4 grams per liter, in the Extra Brut style.
The 2020 vintage showcases the personality of this chalky terroir through a Champagne of great precision. In the glass, aromas of white fruit and white flowers emerge, accompanied by delicate aging nuances and a subtle pastry dimension. On the palate, it offers a creamy and enveloping texture, balanced by a marked vivacity and a mineral energy that constantly recalls the chalky character of its soils.
Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères Blanc de Blancs 2020 is a Champagne of great purity and personality. A wine in which Chardonnay, the chalky soil of the Campanian region, the vineyard's exposure, and the meticulous work of the Laherte Frères family come together to create a profound and elegant expression of the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay.
At El Sumiller, we selected this bottle for those seeking to discover Champagne from the perspective of small producers and terroir-driven wines. A single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs, made with grapes from ripe vines and aged in oak barrels and on its lees, offering a captivating combination of creaminess, freshness, and minerality.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pale and bright yellow color with a fine effervescence.
Nose: Aromas of white fruit and white flowers, accompanied by delicate aging nuances and subtle pastry notes.
Palate: Creamy, enveloping, and balanced with great vivacity. The tension and minerality of the chalky soil provide depth and a persistent finish.
Pairing
Perfect with oysters, shellfish, scallops, delicate fish, oily fish, sushi, sashimi, poultry, white meats in sauce, and sophisticated gourmet dishes. It is also an excellent Champagne to enjoy on its own and appreciate its evolution in the glass.
