Champagne Laherte Frères Petit Meslier NV Base 19. Disg. Apr 2022

Champagne Laherte Frères Petit Meslier is a single-variety Champagne from one of the region's near-forgotten heirloom grapes.

Petit Meslier is a historic cross between Gouais Blanc and Savagnin and one of the seven varieties still permitted in Champagne, though barely any is planted. It has formed part of Aurélien Laherte's cuvée Les 7 for almost twenty vintages, and the family has stayed attached to it for its personality and its ability to hold acidity even in warmer years. Between 2014 and 2018 Laherte established a mid-slope vineyard on the clay and limestone soils of Chavot using mass-selection cuttings from the domaine's oldest Meslier vines; this is the second release from that project. The grapes went to Laherte's antique Coquard press and the juice flowed into old barrel by gravity. A wild ferment was followed by malolactic fermentation, six months on lees in barrel and then further time sur lattes. The wine is based on the 2019 vintage with 40 per cent reserve, hand-disgorged at two grams per litre.

Drink over the next five to eight years. Serve at 8-10°C with oysters, tempura or a plate of shellfish.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.