Champagne Laherte Frres Les Empreintes 2016 (Disg. Dec 2021)

Disgorged December 2021. This wine offers what Laherte refers to as the quintessence of the Chavot terroir. It is always a selection of Lahertes five best barrels from each of his two finest Chavot plots: old-vine Chardonnay from Les Chemins dpernay (planted in 1957 on clay with chalky subsoils, with around one-third of the fruit the rare Chardonnay-Muscat); and Pinot Noir from Les Rouges Maisons (planted in the late 80s on a deep soil rich in clay, flint and schist). The wines were vinified separately and raised in old Burgundy barrels, (with some portions fermented in second-hand DRC Le Montrachet barrels). The dosage was 4 g/L.

There is genuine depth and texture from the old vines and the clay of Les Chemins dpernay but this opulence is vibrantly balanced by crystalline freshness and a long, classy finish. A superb and unique Champagne that clearly speaks of its terroir. If you love great white Burgundy, then this has a similar set of textural and mineral qualities.