The "Les Grandes Crayères" 2020 is a Champagne of surgical precision. It is a Blanc de Blancs that speaks not only of Chardonnay, but of pure chalk (hence the name Crayères). It is the ideal choice for those who love taut, electric, and deeply mineral Champagnes.
Champagne Laherte Frères "Les Grandes Crayères" 2020: The Voice of Chalk
The Blanc de Blancs "Les Grandes Crayères" 2020 is the purest and most vertical expression of Domaine Laherte Frères. This vintage cuvée originates from two selected parcels in the Chavot terroir, characterized by subsoil where chalk strongly emerges. It is an ode to the mineral tension and finesse of Chardonnay, interpreted with the artisanal rigor and biodynamic sensibility that distinguish Aurélien Laherte.
Sensory Profile In the glass, it presents a brilliant straw yellow, traversed by a very fine and incessant perlage. On the nose, it is a blade of light: citrus notes of lime and grapefruit intertwine with hints of white flowers and an almost saline chalky minerality, complemented by a very slight touch of bread crust resulting from aging in wood. In the mouth, it is vibrant, taut, and incredibly clean. The acidic energy guides the sip towards a dry, long, and deeply savory finish, typical of great Chardonnays born on calcareous soils.
Winemaking and Terroir The grapes come from old, south-facing vines, where the poor soil forces the roots to penetrate deep into the chalk. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in small oak barrels, followed by a long aging on the lees. The Extra Brut dosage (approximately 4g/l) is carefully chosen not to mask the distinct saline identity of this extraordinary Blanc de Blancs.
Food Pairings A wine of such precision requires excellent pairings. It is the perfect companion for oysters and seafood, white fish carpaccio, high-quality sushi, or a lemon and red prawn risotto. Its freshness also makes it an ideal meditation glass for lovers of extreme minerality.
Brief Technical Data Sheet
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Producer: Laherte Frères
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Cuvée: Les Grandes Crayères (Millésime 2020)
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Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
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Origin: Chavot (Coteaux Sud d’Épernay)
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Dosage: Extra Brut
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Aging: Fermentation in barriques and foudres
