Champagne Laherte Freres

VISIT THIS PRODUCER'S WEBSITE
LOCATE ON GOOGLE MAPS
A CREAM IMPORT SELECTION
Country of Origin: France
Location: Chavot, Côteaux Sud d’Épernay
People: Laherte Family, Owners | Aurélien Laherte, Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic

Items

Champagne Laherte Freres (1.5 L) NV Extra Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC Login — In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres 2014 OENOTHÉQUE 'Les Empreintes' Extra Brut Champagne AOC Login — Please inquire
Champagne Laherte Freres (1.5 L) NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC Login — In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres (3 L) NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC (Wooden Box) Login —
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne AOC Login AG 95 AG 94 AG 93 AG 92 WA 91
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Petit Meslier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login JD 93 In Stock
Champagne Laherte Freres 2016 OENOTHÉQUE Rosé de Saignee Extra Brut, Les Beaudiers, Champagne AOC Login — Please inquire
Champagne Laherte Freres NV Rose de Meunier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC Login AG 94 AG 94 WA 90 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 7th 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.

Media Links
Punch: Champagne's Next Revolution is Now

Reviews

  • 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 NV Petit Meslier Extra Brut, Champagne AOC
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 93 (11/17/2023)
    It jumps from the glass with energetic lift, offering up aromas of lemongrass, fennel frond, wet stone, and crunchy apples. Medium-bodied, with a wonderful backbone of concentration, it’s linear and energetic on the palate, with a zesty freshness. It has the bones to handle significant aging but feels as though it will do so at a glacial pace. Drink 2024-2040. I’ll love to see where this wine goes as the vines develop into their maturity. Disgorged December 2022.