Laherte Frères : Petit Meslier

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Laherte Frères "Petit Meslier" Champagne

Tasting Notes

Color
The color reveals a diaphanous, crystalline hue, enhanced by a radiant brilliance that speaks to its great purity.

Nose
Energetic and complex, the nose opens with delicate aromas of white flowers and vibrant citrus. It then evolves toward subtle vegetal nuances and hints of bread crust, while offering a tonic fruitiness reminiscent of Granny Smith apple, kiwi, pear, and rhubarb.

Palate
The attack is silky and remarkable, introducing a palate with an ample structure. The palate unfolds generous flavors of pear, buttery orchard fruits, toasted bread, and walnut. The whole is supported by a lovely mineral tension and harmonious acidity, extending into a long, lively, and perfectly defined finish.

Service and storage
For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this champagne at a temperature between 8 and 10°C.

Food and wine pairing
Ideal as an aperitif, this wine pairs wonderfully with seafood and shellfish, such as crab verrines or turbot with beurre blanc. It also pairs beautifully with blue-veined or washed-rind cheeses, fried dishes, and roasted white meats served with a light sauce.

The Revival of a Historic Champagne Grape Variety by Laherte Frères

The Estate
Founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte, the House of Laherte Frères is located in Chavot, in the heart of the Champagne wine region. Today led by Aurélien Laherte, representing the seventh generation since 2005, the estate spans approximately 11 hectares. The domaine stands out for its respectful approach to living ecosystems, favoring biodynamics and organic farming. Discreet yet highly regarded, the house crafts authentic terroir wines that celebrate biodiversity and the preservation of historic regional grape varieties.

The Vineyard
The grapes for this cuvée come from a historic plot located mid-slope in the village of Chavot. This distinctive terroir rests on a clay-loam soil covering a deep layer of soft chalk, giving the wine its characteristic minerality and lovely natural tension.

Winemaking and Aging
The grapes, hand-harvested at full ripeness, undergo a traditional gentle pressing. The must is transferred into barrels by gravity with minimal settling. Alcoholic fermentation takes place slowly in barrels, accompanied by occasional stirring of the lees. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full to bring roundness. The wine is then aged for six months on fine lees before undergoing manual disgorgement à la volée. The dosage is Extra Brut (2 g/l).

Grape Variety
Petit Meslier (100%). A rare and historic white grape variety from Champagne, petit meslier is the result of a crossing between gouais blanc and savagnin. It stands out for its ability to retain remarkable freshness and biting acidity even in warm years, offering distinctly smoky and citrus notes.