Disgorged November 2022. 100% old-vine Pinot Meunier. Les Vignes d’Autrefois (‘vines of another time’) is made from a single four-tonne press of grapes from old vines planted between 1947 and 1964. These grow in several chalky terroirs in Chavot and Mancy. The sites in Chavot (La Potote and Les Rouges Maisons) sit on deep clay and silt soils, with a presence of flint and small stones. In Mancy are Les Hautes Norgeailles and Les Bas Putroux, where the vines are rooted in clay soils over chalk. Viticulture for these sites is entirely biodynamic. As well as referencing the age of the vines, the name also refers to the fact that these vines are all massal selections (i.e. non-clonal). There is even a soupçon of ungrafted vine material scattered throughout these vineyards. Aurélien uses old Burgundy barrels for aging (including some sourced from Montille and Leroux), and there was no malolactic conversion. The wine aged for seven months in barrel, followed by 30 months on lees in bottle. The very low dosage of 3 g/L allows the iodine minerality of these chalky terroirs to sing. This is emblematic of the quality at Laherte today and reflects the fruit’s tension and low-yield intensity. It offers a wonderful balance between penetrating, spicy, fleshy red fruit and salty, racy deliciousness—one of the great Meunier bottlings of Champagne.

Disgorged November 2022. Petit Meslier has formed an integral part of Aurélien Laherte’s Les 7 cuvée for almost 20 vintages. One of Champagne’s heirloom varieties, Meslier is a historic cross between Gouais Blanc and Savagnin. Although it has been largely forgotten in Champagne, the Laherte family has remained attached to the grape’s personality and its ability to retain acidity, even in warmer vintages. Between 2014 and 2018, Laherte established a mid-slope vineyard on Chavot’s clay/limestone soils, using massal cuttings from the domaine’s oldest Meslier vines. This wine marks the third release of this exciting project. The grapes are pressed in Laherte’s antique Coquard press, and the juice ferments naturally in old barrel. The wine ages for six months on lees in barrel and then a further 18 months sur lattes. This bottling is based on the 2020 vintage with 40% reserve wines and was disgorged by hand with just 2 g/L dosage (extra brut). When Domaine Didier Dagueneau decided to craft a sparkling wine in Pouilly-Fumé (yet to be released), Benjamin Dagueneau chose Petit Meslier as its hero. From the first glass, it’s clear why Laherte and Dagueneau have decided to put their faith in this unique, forgotten variety. Champagne thrill seekers should not hesitate.

The Champagne de Venoge Princes Tour Eiffel NV is a delightfully effervescent wine hailing from the iconic Champagne region of France. This particular vintage, NV, showcases the expert craftsmanship of Champagne de Venoge, a renowned producer based in France. Upon first pour, the wine displays a pale golden hue with a steady stream of delicate bubbles dancing in the glass. The nose is greeted with enticing aromas of crisp green apples, fragrant white flowers, and hints of brioche. On the palate, this Champagne reveals a perfect balance between freshness and depth. The initial burst of citrus flavors is followed by layers of ripe apricots and honey, all held together by a lively acidity. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and finesse. Overall, the Champagne de Venoge Princes Tour Eiffel NV is a true representation of the exceptional quality and character of Champagne wines. Perfect for any celebration or special occasion, this wine is a must-try for all Champagne lovers.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged December 2021. This wine offers the “quintessence of the Chavot terroir”, says Aurélien. It is always a selection of Laherte’s five best barrels from each of his two finest Chavot plots: old-vine Chardonnay from Les Chemins d’Épernay (planted in 1957 on clay with chalky subsoils, with around one-third of the fruit the rare Chardonnay-Muscaté); 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 oak (with some portions fermented in second-hand DRC Le Montrachet barrels). The dosage was 4 g/L. The old vines and clay of Les Chemins d’Épernay impart genuine depth and texture, and this opulence is vibrantly balanced by crystalline freshness and a long, classy finish. This superb, unique Champagne clearly speaks of its terroir. If you love great white Burgundy, this has similar textural and mineral qualities.

Base 2021, Disg. April 2024. Latitude is 100% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay from vineyards on the southern side of Vertus. These vineyards are on roughly the same latitude, hence the name, which also hints at the breadth of texture that wines from these sites—having more clay in the soil—tend to offer. In the cellar, Larmandier uses mostly large casks (almost all the wood now comes from Stockinger in Austria). Fermentation and malolactic fermentation take place naturally, and there is no filtration. Latitude matures in bottle for more than two years before disgorgement and dosage at low, extra-brut levels (in this case, 3 g/L) at least six months before release. This bottling is based on the 2021 vintage, with 40% reserve wine drawn from a ‘perpetual’ reserve started in 2004. Upcoming releases will include fruit from some terrific vineyards in Villeneuve and Bergères, which will only further buttress the quality.

With its distinctive yellow label, Veuve Clicquot is the enduring homage to the great Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. Under Madame Clicquot's guidance, this famous Champagne house became a global phenomenon and a continued success story. A Champagne from the fuller-bodied school with flavours of buttered toast, brioche and biscuit to complement the ever present fine acidity and flavour length that is a trademark.

A rare, generous and delicious Chardonnay-dominant Cuvée with rich apricot, floral and yeasty characters with touches of vanilla and spice. A long, elegant and powerful finish. A Champage of ultra elgance that is always extremely limited. Simply superb.

This unique champagne from Henri Abele has a beautiful salmon-pink hue, which opens to powerful red fruit aromas, gradually giving way to spicy notes. Delicate on entry to the palate, the Pinot Noir comes through beautifully, revealing a powerful, robust and supple champagne. The complex, long-lingering finish completes the balance of this outstanding cuve, ideal for those very special occasions.

This unique cuvee is respectfully composed of the three champenois grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Entirely vinified in oak, Sous Bois (under wood) totally masters the art of blending by renewing the ancestral spirit and savoir-faire of the original Champagnes. The nose contains defined aromatics of dry fruits and fresh citrus, coupled with finely buttered seductive notes that expresses the mature complexity linked to the vinification in oak barrels. The palate is bursting with flavours of grilled brioche, vanilla and toffee, complimenting the refreshing texture and exceptional finish.