The Laherte family, now in its seventh generation under Aurlien Laherte, has built a reputation for producing some of Champagnes most terroir-driven wines. Les Grandes Crayres comes from a single lieu-dit in Chavot, south of pernay, planted exclusively to Chardonnay in 1983. The site sits on deep, chalky subsoils with a thin layer of clay and sand on top, giving the wine both tension and depthan ideal expression of the Cteaux Sud dpernays limestone-rich terroir.

Technical details:

• 100% Chardonnay from old vines

• Biodynamic and organic farming

• Fermentation in neutral oak barrels with indigenous yeasts

• Aged 36+ months on lees

• Dosage: Extra Brut (34 g/L)

• Millsime: 2019

Tasting notes:
The 2019 Les Grandes Crayres is a strikingly pure and mineral-driven Blanc de Blancs. The nose opens with crystalline citrus, white peach, and ripe pear, layered with chalk dust, toasted hazelnut, and delicate floral accents. On the palate, it is both taut and generousbright lemon zest and orchard fruit framed by fine, chalk-infused acidity and a deep, saline core. Subtle brioche and spice from oak aging add complexity without obscuring the precision. The finish is long, racy, and mouthwatering, echoing crushed stone and citrus peel.

This is a Champagne of finesse and energy, marrying richness from old-vine Chardonnay with the sharp cut of chalky soils. A serious, ageworthy cuve that will shine now with refined dishesthink shellfish, scallop carpaccio, or citrus-accented poultrybut will evolve beautifully over the next decade.