2016 Laherte Freres Blanc de Blancs Les Grandes Crayeres, Champagne

Les Grandes Crayères showcases Laherte's two most mineral soils in Côteaux Sud d'Épernay. These parcels of 40-plus-year-old massale selection vines are situated on a west-facing hillside composed of Campanian chalk with very little topsoil.

The base wine was fermented wild in old barrels (aged three to ten years old) and did not go through malo. It then spent 30 months on lees in bottle, and a further nine months resting after disgorgement before commercial release. Dosage was 4 g/L, hand disgorged in February 2020. The Galloni notes sums it up well.

A stunning wine, the 2016 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Grandes Crayères 1er Cru is also the most impressive wine in this range. Bright and finely sculpted, the 2016 possess dazzling energy to match its mid-weight personality. I very much admire the wine's drive and precision. The Grandes Crayères emerges from two parcels in Chavot that confer so much tension. It is a stunning Champagne in every way. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2020.

96 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com Drink 2021-2031