Champagne Laherte Freres

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Country of Origin: France
Location: Chavot, Côteaux Sud d’Épernay
People: Laherte Family, Owners | Aurélien Laherte, Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic

Items

Champagne Laherte Freres 2017 'Les Empreintes' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login JD 95 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres (1.5 L) NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC Login AG 90 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres (1.5 L) NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC Login — In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC Login AG 92 WA 92 WA 91 AG 91 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC Login AG 93 WA 91 AG 91 WA 91 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC Login AG 95 AG 94 AG 93 AG 92 WA 91 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres 2018 'Les Vignes d'Autrefois' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login AG 94 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres 2019 'Les Vignes d'Autrefois' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login JD 95 <1 Case
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Rose de Meunier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login AG 94 AG 94 WA 90 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login WA 93 AG 92 AG 94 WA 93 AG 94 In Stock

Founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte, this family-run estate has been in the Lahertes’ hands for seven generations. Since 2005, Aurélien Laherte - the seventh generation - has been giving a new dimension to the estate, while following in the footsteps of his father Thierry and his uncle Christian, the Laherte brothers. Their 10-hectare estate, 75 parcels, are situated in 3 distinct areas: the southern slopes of Épernay, the Côte des Blancs, and the Marne Valley.

The family highly prizes their vines, many of which have undergone 70 harvests. They work as naturally as possible with biodynamic and sustainable practices: plant infusions to improve natural defense systems, high foliage so that the photosynthesis ensures a nice maturity, and planning the pruning work and treatments on favorable days in order to strengthen the vine stocks. They feel that it is absolutely essential to manage the soil with great care in order to preserve its balance.

The grapes are pressed at the estate in the village of Chavot, with two 4,000-kilo traditional presses. Their techniques aim to preserve as much of the natural qualities of the grapes as possible. With that in mind, they barrel by gravity, allow for slow and spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, stir the lees depending on the characteristics of the wine, and use a low and precise dosage. They focus on single-parcel fermentation so that they can purely transmit the characteristics of the soil and place. The estate has over 350 oak barrels in which it ferments and matures 80% of the parcels to highlight each terroir. They carefully blend the parcels to create a unique personality for each wine they produce. The result is wine that truly reflects the nuance of its place and time.

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Reviews

  • Laherte Freres (1.5 L) NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (11/1/2015)
    Yellow orchard fruit, apricot, flowers and chamomile are some of the nuances that shape the NV Brut Ultradition. This release is based on 2012, which with the higher dosage (7 grams) vis-a-vis the Extra Brut Ultradition results in a creamy, resonant Champagne with tons of sheer appeal. Sweet floral notes round out the expressive, lifted finish. This release is 60% 2012 and 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 7 grams/liter. Disgorged: December 2014.
  • Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (12/8/2017)
    The NV Brut Ultradition is the same base wine as the Extra Brut Ultradition. Here the higher dosage seems to give the wine greater fleshiness and immediacy, while changing the wine's shape. Some of the mid-palate creaminess seems to have been achieved at the expense of a bit of persistence. Disgorged: November 2016. Dosage is 6-8 grams per liter.
  • Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 95 (12/8/2017)
    A Champagne of extraordinary finesse, the NV Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs is positively stunning. Smoke, slate, crushed rocks, lemon peel and white flowers are beautifully sculpted. Crystalline and taut, yet with remarkable resonance, the Blanc de Blancs is totally alluring from the very first taste. The current release is 50% 2015 and 50% a blend of 2014 and 2013 from vineyards in both the southern sector of Epernay and the Côte des Blancs. Disgorged: April 2017 with no dosage.
  • Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (8/31/2018)
    The NV Extra Brut Les 7 is a singe-parcel field blend of all seven authorized grape varieties, which are picked, pressed and vinified together (natural fermentation and aging in oak, no malolactic). Lot L.15 is from a reserve perpétuelle [solera] that includes all the vintages between 2005 and 2014. The wine opens with a clear, intense yet fine and terribly fresh bouquet of ripe white and yellow-fleshed fruits along with some earthy noes. Full-bodied, mouth-filling and dry, this is a firmly structured cuvée that's still a bit austere, with rich extract and a long, fruity and still underdeveloped finish. This is so tight and mineral that I would keep it for another two, maybe three years.
  • Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 92 (8/31/2018)
    Based on the 2015 vintage and 40% of reserve wines, the NV Extra Brut Ultradition is an assemblage of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from eight villages and terroirs in the Coteaux Sud d'Epernay and the Marne Valley. Vinified in cuves, pièces and foudres and aged on the lees for six months (with malolactic partly done), this is a deep, pure and complex cuvée. Full-bodied, firm and very mineral yet fine, fresh and pure on the salty palate, the finish reveals charming richness and intense fruit but keeps the firm and chalky expression of this impressive Extra Brut. I'd keep this cuvée for another two or three years, but I suppose it can also age for a decade. Tasted in August 2018 from Lot L.14 that was disgorged in November 2017.
  • Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (11/30/2018)
    The NV (2014) Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs is once again one of the stars in the range, not to mention an absolutely insane value in the world of fine wine. Bright, sculpted and classy to the core, the 2014 dazzles from the very first taste. Citrus, mineral and floral notes abound in this super-expressive, finely-cut Blanc de Blancs. Crystalline and energetic, the Blanc de Blancs has so much to offer. The 2014 is a more than worthy follow up to the stellar 2013. Non-dosé. Disgorged: January 2018
  • Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (11/30/2018)
    The NV Les 7 is a blend of the seven permitted varieties in Champagne based on 2015 with 40% of a perpetual solera that goes back to 2005. The combination of varieties and wines yields a Champagne of uncommon complexity. Dried pear, citrus peel, sage and herb notes build in in a bright, tense Champagne that grows in the glass, finishing with lovely textural balance and silkiness. Like so many wines based on 2015, Les 7 has a slight vegetal quality that is perceptible but not overpowering. Zero dosage. Disgorged: January 2018.
  • Laherte Freres NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (12/5/2017)
    The NV Extra Brut Ultradition is a gorgeous wine at its level, and also a terrific introduction to the Laherte Champagnes. Translucent and energetic, the Ultradition has a lot to offer. Pear, almond and dried flowers meld together as this creamy, ample Champagne shows off its distinctive personality. The flavors are brilliant and chiseled throughout. What a gorgeous wine this is. Disgorged: January 2017
  • Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (12/6/2019)
    The NV Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs is stunning. Even better, it is one of the very finest Champagnes readers will find in its price range. Bright, sculpted and highly nuanced to the core, the Blanc de Blancs sizzles with tension. The purity of this Chardonnay fruit comes through beautifully. Citrus, white flowers, mint and white pepper add striking top notes. This release is a blend of 50% 2016 and 50% reserve wines from 2015 and 2014. The non-dosé style works especially well here. No dosage. Disgorged: April, 2019.
  • Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (12/6/2019)
    The NV Les 7 non-dosé (05-15), a blend of the seven grapes permitted in Champagne, is another super-distinctive wine in this lineup. Creamy, resonant and super-expressive, Les 7 is so intriguing. Hints of dried pear, mint, flowers and citrus open up with air, but Les 7 is a rare Champagne that engages all the senses with its captivating detail, textural richness and persistence. I loved it. This release is 60% 2015 and 40% reserve wines. The seven varieties are co-fermented, with blocked malolactic fermentation, and disgorged with no dosage. Disgorged: January, 2018.
  • Laherte Freres NV Rose de Meunier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (12/6/2019)
    One of the many highlights in this range, the NV Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier is powerful, vinous and structured. It is also quite reticent and not at all forthcoming. A bit more time in bottle should do the trick, though. Hints of rose petal, mint, game, dried herbs and licorice add intrigue to a Rosé that is at once powerful and laser-like in its focus. There is plenty of Meunier character, and yet the best is very clearly yet to come. The current release is a blend of equal parts 2016 and 2015 done in a pretty unique style that blends 60% white pressed Meunier, 30% rosé de saignée, 10% still red Meunier, an approach that works beautifully here. Dosage: 2.5 gr/L. Disgorged: October, 2018.
  • Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (9/17/2020)
    Disgorged in February 2018 without dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Les 7 is based on the 2015 vintage, supplemented by 40% reserve wines from a solera established in 2005. The wine is showing superbly today, unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus rind, Anjou pear, paraffin wax, pastry cream, peach and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with an elegantly fleshy core of fruit that's complemented by a pillowy mousse, it's bright and precise while avoiding any austerity.
  • Laherte Freres NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (9/17/2020)
    Disgorged in July 2018 with 4.5 grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Ultradition is a Pinot Meunier-dominant blend that's fermented in barrel with partial malolactic. Offering up aromas of lemon oil, citrus confit, dried white flowers, peach and beeswax, it's medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and vinous, with ripe but racy acids, a fleshy core of fruit and a long, penetrating finish.
  • Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (9/17/2020)
    Disgorged in May 2019, the NV Brut Ultradition is showing very well indeed, offering up aromas of peach, candied peel, walnuts and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, the wine's elegantly textural attack segues into a pillowy, incisive midpalate that's bright and concentrated, complemented by a pinpoint mousse. This is a terrific non-vintage Meunier-dominant cuvée that comes warmly recommended.
  • Laherte Freres NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 91 (11/19/2020)
    The NV Extra Brut Ultradition, the entry-level wine in this range, is wonderfully deep and fleshy, with plenty of Meunier character driving the blend. Dried pear, chamomile and spice are some of the notes that open in the glass. Generous and inviting, the Ultradition has plenty to offer. This release is based on 2017, with reserve wines from 2016 and 2015. Drink it over the next few years. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019.
  • Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 91 (11/19/2020)
    The NV Brut Ultradition is the same wine as the Extra Brut version, but with higher dosage. That added touch of sugar seems to bring out an extra dimension of freshness and cut, which works so well for this Meunier-based Champagne. Apricot, lemon confit, dried flowers and spice are all nicely lifted. The higher dosage is not just felt in the wine's flavor profile, it also comes through in a more translucent overall expression. This release is based on 2017, with reserve wines from 2016 and 2015, done mostly in neutral oak. Dosage is 7.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: December, 2019.
  • Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (11/19/2020)
    The NV Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs marries power with energy to a degree I have not seen before here. In this edition, the Brut Nature is decidedly powerful and broad, with less of the tension seen in some previous releases. It's as if all the Chardonnay flavors have been turned up to the maximum. Orange peel, apricot, chamomile and spice are some of the many notes that fill out the layers. The current release is based on 2017, with reserve wines from 2016 and 2015, all done in neutral oak. Zero dosage. Disgorged: February, 2020.
  • Laherte Freres NV 'Les 7' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (11/19/2020)
    The NV Extra Brut Les 7 is a blend of the seven authorized grapes in Champagne, co-fermented, done in a perpetual reserve style that goes back to 2005. It is one of the most intriguing wines in the range. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes abound as this crystalline, taut Champagne reveals its stunning beauty. Les 7 is finished with no dosage, but there is more than enough natural richness to keep the wine in balance. I loved it. Disgorged: February, 2020.
  • Laherte Freres NV Rose de Meunier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (11/19/2020)
    The NV Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier is dazzling. Rich yet focused, with superb depth, Laherte's Extra Brut Rosé is a magical Champagne in every way. Orange peel, sweet red berry fruit, cranberry, mint and chalk are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop as this breathtaking Champagne shows off its pedigree. This release is a blend of 2017 and 2016 composed of 60% Meunier (white), 30% Meunier (macerated) and 10% Meunier (still red wine). In a word: magical. Dosage is 2.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2020.
  • Laherte Freres NV Rose de Meunier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 90 (9/23/2021)
    Disgorged earlier this year, the NV Extra-Brut Rosé de Meunier bursts with aromas of red berries, peonies, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's layered and vinous, with a ripe core of fruit and brisk girdling acids. As usual, it's a blend of 60% direct pressed Pinot Meunier, 30% macerated Pinot Meunier and 10% red Pinot Meunier.
  • Laherte Freres NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (9/23/2021)
    Disgorged in spring 2020 with 4.5 grams per liter, the latest rendition of the NV Extra-Brut Ultradition offers up aromas of citrus zest, pear, fresh bread, white flowers and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, ample and chiseled, it's long and concentrated, concluding with a saline finish. In this cuvée, domaine fruit is supplemented by some 40% purchased must.
  • Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (9/23/2021)
    Based on the 2018 vintage and disgorged this year, the NV Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs derives from vines growing in the chalky Côteaux Sud d’Épernay. Unwinding in the glass with notions of crisp green apple, nougat, fresh bread and Meyer lemon, it's medium to full-bodied, chiseled and chalky, with tangy acids and a long, saline finish even in this demonstrative vintage.
  • Laherte Freres 2018 'Les Vignes d'Autrefois' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (11/1/2022)
    "The 2018 Extra Brut Vignes d’Autrefois is a selection of 100% Meunier sourced from vines planted between 1947 and 1964. Deeply-pitched and vinous, the Autrefois fills out beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. The aromatics alone are thrilling, but all the elements are so well balanced. Old-vine Meunier planted on chalk yields a Champagne that deftly balances richness with vibrancy. The Autrefois nimbly captures the essence of the house style. It's a gorgeous Champagne from Laherte. Dosage is 2-4 grams per liter. Disgorged: November, 2021. Drinking window: 2022-2030." - Antonio Galloni
  • Laherte Freres 2019 'Les Vignes d'Autrefois' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 95 (11/17/2023)
    The 2019 Champagne Les Vignes D'Autrefois Extra Brut is made from Meunier coming from plots within Sud Epernay that were planted in 1947. The area is at the bottom of a hill that’s susceptible to frost, which is why they planted to Meunier on the chalk soils as opposed to the sand or clay of the Marne. Pouring a rich straw hue, the wine offers expressive notes of crushed chalk, fresh red cherry, and a sapidity of graham. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has a focused yet generous feel, with fresh notes of orange citrus and crunchy earth, and finishes with more intense focus on the back palate. It would pair well with classic dishes such as oysters and shellfish. Mouthwatering and very long, it’s in a very attractive place now and has the structure to hold over the coming decade. Disgorged November 2022. 2 grams per liter dosage.
  • Laherte Freres 2017 'Les Empreintes' Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 95 (11/17/2023)
    Bottled in 2018 and aged under cork sur latte (Laherte ages this cuvée the longest on the lees), the 2017 Champagne Millésime Empreintes Extra Brut is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay (a selection massale of his grandfather’s Muscat) and Pinot Noir. Pouring a bright pale yellow, it’s a fantastic expression from this challenged vintage, opening to attractive aromas that feel complete, with a mix of fresh pineapple bundt cake, croissant, spice, and the fresh grape ripeness of Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied and zesty with citrus and mouthwatering chalky earth, it’s lively on the palate, with a pinpoint mousse, a long finish, and a hint of custardy texture to balance it out. This focused wine deserves another couple years in the cellar, although I enjoy its nervous energy now. Drink 2024-2044. Disgorged in October 2022. 3 grams per liter dosage.