Laherte Frères Champagne Ultradition Grand Brut 750ml

From the importer: “Today, under the direction of Aurélien Laherte who took over in 2005, the estate has become one of the most progressive and dynamic rising stars in the appellation. Like many of Champagne’s top practicioners, the estate has begun to produce a series of tiny production, single-vineyard, single vintage cuvees (around 3,000 bottles each) from some of their most unique and expressive biodynamically-farmed parcels. These wines are all vinified in used Burgundy barrels, without malolactic fermentation, and are bottled without fining and filtration. They are then finished with little or no dosage so as to not mask the individuality of the underlying terroirs. But the mainstay of the Laherte range is the Ultradition lineup consisting of Brut, Extra Brut and Rosé. Aurelien knows that these flagship cuvées are the introduction to his family’s estate and to the village of Chavot, and thus, need to reflect quality and extreme value. The introduction of the racy and mineral-driven Blanc de Blanc Brut Nature (from his chalkiest soils in and around Chavot) and the bright and thirst-quenching Rosé de Meunier — both with fanciful, floral labels — are a nod to the dynamic direction in which Aurélien has taken in the last decade. Ultradition Brut NV – Blend of 60% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, 40% of which are reserve wines, from selected parcels in seven villages in the Côteaux sud d’Epernay, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. Primary fermentation takes places in a combination of foudres (20%) tank (20%) and barrel (60%) with regular lees stirring. The wine goes through partial malolactic fermentation and is dosed at 6-8 gr/l. It is a fine and complex blend that is perfect as an aperitif.”