Dosage 4g/l
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Cuvee notes:
50% Chardonnay (1/3 of Chardonnay muscaté) from vines in Les Chemins d’Epernay, which were planted in 1957.
50% Pinot Noir from vines in Les Rouges Maisons, which were planted in 1983.
Les Chemins d'Epernay has clay soils with chalky subsoil. Les Rouges Maisons has deep clay topsoil with flint and schist components, underlain by chalk subsoil.
Vineyards are farmed organically and are plowed by horse.
Fermentation in 10 year aged Burgundy barrels, sans malolactic.
6 months of barrel aging with regular stirring of the lees. Disgorged by hand.
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First time trying this Producer. Took a while for this to open up. Could use a handful of years of additional cellaring, but still showing very well now with dazzling tension. Quite dry on the palate, with crisp cut of the old vines Chardonnay component highlighting the bracing "blanc" character of this wine. Fine bead. Lengthy finish exhibiting an increasing complexity as the evening progressed. Very popular at the table. We could've used another bottle or two of this !
Paired well with P.E.I. mussels in broth of shallot, garlic, lemon, tomato, white wine, and butter, followed by roasted poussin with sauteed spinach and fingerling potatoes.
Comment from Antonio Galloni:
"Aurélien Laherte is young, passionate and humble. It is only a matter of time before he is recognized as one of Champagne's elite vignerons. "
