Champagne Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC

Champagne Laherte Freres NV Brut 'Ultradition' Champagne AOC

Item Number: 6890

UPC: 0-630646142019

Country: France
Region: Champagne
Sub Region: Vallee de la Marne
Appellation/AVA: Champagne AOC
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Grape(s): 60% Pinot Meunier / 30% Chardonnay / 10% Pinot Noir
Type: Wine - Sparkling
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 12.5
Total Acidity: 5.5
pH: 3
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic
Case Production: 3,500

The Brut Ultradition is a subtle blending of three Champagne varieties and is representative of Champagne Laherte Frères terroirs. This Champagne comes from the Côteaux sud d’Epernay, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. A fine and complex blending.

Grape Sources: Pinot Meunier is from Chavot-Courcourt, Mancy, Boursault, Vaudancourt, and Le Breuil with soils of silt, marl and clay. Chardonnay is from Chavot, Vaudancourt and Epernay with soils of fine clay and limestone. Pinot Noir is from Chavot with soils of clay, flint and schist. 40% of the wine is made of reserve wines of past years.

Winemaking Notes: Grapes are picked by hand when fully ripened and traditionally pressed. Fermentation takes place in vats and barrels according to grape varieties and plots. Wine goes through partial malolactic fermentation. Aged six months and light filtration before bottling. Disgorged by hand with 6-9g/l dosage.

Peter Liem
"This is packed with pungent aromas of strawberry, redcurrant and red apple. True to its origins in the Coteaux Sud d'Epernay and the Vallée de la Marne, it's relatively rich in body, marked by a supple, velvety texture, and it finishes with fine length and plenty of aroma."

Reviews

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.