Wine for sale: Laherte Freres
Laherte Frères
This illustrious champagne house, founded in 1889, is now under the care of its fifth and sixth generations. Thierry and his son Aurélien manage the property masterfully, with vineyards extending across over 11 hectares on the Côte de Blanc, the slopes of Sud d'Epernay and the Marne valley. A certain philosophy is applied to the vineyard work with a preference for natural practises. Laherte Frères is one of those rare houses still growing some of the Champagne region's forgotten grape varieties, namely Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and Arbanne which all go into Les 7 along with the three classic varieties. The vineyards are propagated using massal selection and the majority of champagnes are vinified in wood. The élevage is particularly well executed and precise without going over the top. Malolactic fermentation is often avoided. This vineyard produces excellent, flavoursome de terroir champagnes with a strong personality. They are particularly popular with connoisseurs and critics.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...
BETTANE & DESSEAUVE
Aurélien Laherte practises exemplary viticulture that is ripely rewarded: all of his wines share a remarkable density and are never austere. The wines are matured in casks, demonstrating a veritable savoir-faire. The whole range is highly recommended.
LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE
The vineyard, planted mainly with Meunier, is found in the Marne valley. The vines come from massal selection of the house’s mature parcels. Three quarters of the wines are vinified in wooden casks. The oakiness is well-managed, often without malolactic fermentation. The Les 7 cuvée is made from Champagne’s seven authorised grape varieties planted on a parcel in Chavot.