Laherte Frères Ultradition Extra Brut
38.28₣ (Exc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / Switzerland
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Laherte NV Brut Ultradition Disg. 10/2012 – 60% Meunier; 30% Chardonnay; 10% Pinot –is exuberantly dominated by juicy and vivacious lime, peach, grapefruit, and Persian as well as honeydew melons, their succulent fruit mingled on a polished palate with nut oils and shitake, as well as suffused with a saliva-drawing sweet-saline, iodine-rich savor of crab and lobster shell reduction that makes for a compelling finish. Yes, this is certainly a capital “U” umami-rich wine! I’m astounded to realize – given its sense of energy and vivacity – that it is based on vintage 2009. Whatever be “ultradition,” it’s an approach I can only heartily commend to other growers! (Of course, you might not be able to make anything like this if you lack that “secret ingredient,” good Meunier; and scrolling down to my review of Lahertes’ “Les 7” might raise suspicions of a connection between their greatest successes – as I perceive them –and the prominence of unjustly neglected cepages!)
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.5%
Grapes
Serving
Between 8ºC and 10ºC
Winemaking
Fermented and aged in French oak barrels and foudres. Minimum ageing of 20 months in bottle before disgorgement.
Description
From the heart of Chavot, on the southern slopes of Épernay, Laherte Frères cultivates a different vision of Champagne. Under the guidance of Aurélien Laherte - the seventh generation of winemakers - the house has opted for an artisanal approach, with organic practices that are not certified but deeply respectful of the life of the soil. Their commitment goes beyond marketing: here they work by hand, ferment in old wood and let the terroir of the Marne Valley speak. In an environment dominated by homogeneity, Aurélien took the courageous decision to reclaim Pinot Meunier as the star grape, giving birth to Laherte Frères Ultradition Extra Brut.
This blend is a precise expression of the varietal and mineral diversity of Laherte Frères champagne. The blend is composed of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, with 40% of reserve wines from previous vintages aged in barrels. The vines, on average 30 years old, grow on clay and limestone soils, where the continental climate with Atlantic influence allows a complete and balanced maturation.
Winemaking
Laherte Frères Ultradition Extra Brut is harvested by hand at optimum ripeness. The grapes are traditionally pressed and fermented in steel tanks, vats and neutral barrels. Only part of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, which preserves freshness without losing depth. The wine ages on fine lees before its second fermentation in the bottle, where it is aged for a minimum of 24 months. Disgorgement is manual and a minimum of 4.5 g/l expedition liqueur is applied, which only slightly softens its dry and mineral profile.
Taste
Laherte Frères Ultradition Extra Brut opens with fine bubbles and an intense nose: ripe citrus, green apple, discreet brioche and an echo of dried fruits. Notes of chalk, white flower and toast appear. The palate is vibrant, with precise acidity, creamy texture and saline undertones. The finish is long, refreshing and mineral, with a tension that invites another sip. Laherte Frères Ultradition Extra Brut : authentic, pure character that speaks elegantly of the vineyard from which it comes.
Shipping to Switzerland
50% discount on orders over 377.56₣*Estimated transit time: 6-7 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over 377.56₣* |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | 22.80₣ | 11.40₣ (-11.40₣) |
| 7-12 | 28.22₣ | 14.11₣ (-14.11₣) |
| 13-18 | 34.83₣ | 17.41₣ (-17.41₣) |
| 19-24 | 43.80₣ | 21.90₣ (-21.90₣) |
| 25-30 | 49.08₣ | 24.54₣ (-24.54₣) |
| 31-36 | 54.75₣ | 27.37₣ (-27.37₣) |
| 37-42 | 58.52₣ | 29.26₣ (-29.26₣) |
| 43-48 | 60.41₣ | 30.20₣ (-30.20₣) |
| 49-54 | 66.07₣ | 33.04₣ (-33.04₣) |
| 55-60 | 71.74₣ | 35.87₣ (-35.87₣) |
| VAT not included | ||
** Shipments to Switzerland include transport costs, insurance and export costs (SAD in origin), but not customs duties (SAD at destination) and local taxes.
***At Gourmet Hunters wine prices are exempt from 21% VAT for all shipments to Switzerland. Once in your shopping cart select Switzerland as delivery address to enjoy your order tax free.
Appellation Map
Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères Blanc de Blancs 2020
69.44₣
65.99₣/ud (-5%)
