Laherte Frères : Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for the Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 from Laherte Frères

Tasting

Appearance

This champagne displays a pale, bright straw-yellow hue, enlivened by a fine, delicate effervescence.

Nose

Beautifully complex aromatically, the bouquet opens with notes of white-fleshed fruit—especially white peach and pear—alongside subtle floral nuances of hawthorn and white flowers. With aeration, mineral hints of fresh chalk and wet stone gradually emerge.

Palate

A crystalline minerality, typical of Bouzy’s chalky terroir, is expressed from the very first sip. Lively, precise acidity lends the wine an elegant structure. The palate reveals dried-fruit aromas—particularly dried pear and apple—enhanced by delicate notes of hazelnut and toasted bread from oak aging. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and mineral persistence with subtly saline accents.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 is an ideal match for seafood, especially oysters and raw shellfish. It also pairs perfectly with delicate fish prepared with lemon-based sauces, smoked salmon with dill and capers, or pan-seared scallops with brown butter. Poultry dishes with bright, tangy elements also make excellent pairings.

Serving and Cellaring

The Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 is best enjoyed at a serving temperature of 10°C. This temperature helps preserve aromatic complexity while fully revealing the wine’s nuances.

A Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs of remarkable mineral precision

The Estate

Laherte Frères is a family-owned Champagne house founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte in the village of Chavot. Since 2005, Aurélien Laherte, representing the seventh generation, has led the estate, which spans around 11 to 13 hectares across three distinct geographical areas of Champagne. The property stands out for its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, as well as a parcel-by-parcel winemaking approach that favors an authentic expression of terroir. In 2009, Aurélien Laherte also co-founded the “Terres et Vins” collective alongside winegrowers who share his philosophy rooted in respect for terroir and natural methods.

The Vineyard

The Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 comes exclusively from two complementary parcels located on the Montagne de Reims, in the village of Bouzy classified as Grand Cru. One sits at the foot of the slope while the other occupies the upper slope, capturing the full diversity of the terroir. The Pinot Noir vines, planted in 1986 and 1988, benefit from full southern exposure at an altitude of between 150 and 190 meters. The soils combine clay and limestone over a pronounced chalk subsoil, offering ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir. This geological combination brings structure, minerality, and water-retention capacity while preserving the hallmark freshness of the wines of Champagne.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage in Champagne was marked by a harsh winter, with a severe frost episode affecting many French vineyards. A milder spring allowed flowering at the end of May, followed by particularly rainy months in June and July. Weather instability continued from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these contrasting conditions, the grapes reached satisfactory physiological ripeness, making it possible to craft balanced wines that combine freshness and aromatic complexity.

Vinification and Aging

The grapes for the Bouzy Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 are hand-harvested at full ripeness, then pressed according to traditional Champagne methods. Alcoholic fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels, adding subtle complexity without masking the expression of the terroir. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to preserve the wine’s natural acidity and mineral tension. After extended aging on fine lees in barrels, the wine is bottled with a minimal dosage of 2 g/L. Disgorgement is carried out by hand, bottle by bottle, ensuring meticulous care at every stage.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir