Fly Fishing

 

Nothing much to do with wine, but Fly Fishing is a grapecircus passion. #justsaying

 

The Catch
The Flies
The Patience

Laherte Frères

Under the direction of Aurélien Laherte, Laherte Frères produces a stunning line-up of champagnes that highlight the diverse terroirs of the region. Aurélien takes a natural approach to viticulture and vinification and has quickly become one of the most dynamic and progressive vignerons in Champagne.

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Extra Brut 'Ultradition'

A blend of 60% meunier, 30% chardonnay and 10% pinot noir, of which 40% is reserve wine. Fermented in foudre (20%), tank (20%) and barrel (60%) with regular lees stirring. Partial malolactic. Dosage is 4.5g/l.

“The NV Extra Brut Ultradition is a gorgeous wine at its level, and also a terrific introduction to the Laherte Champagnes. Translucent and energetic, the Ultradition has a lot to offer. Pear, almond and dried flowers meld together as this creamy, ample Champagne shows off its distinctive personality. The flavors are brilliant and chiseled throughout. What a gorgeous wine this is.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, December 2017. 93 points.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: NV
STYLE: sparkling white
GRAPES: pinot meunier, chardonnay, pinot noir
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak, stainless steel
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

blanc-de-blancs-brut-nature

Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature

A selection of chardonnay from parcels on soft chalky soils. Fermentation in small barrels and foudres with some lees stirring. Partial malolactic. 6 months on lees.

"The NV Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs is stunning. Even better, it is one of the very finest Champagnes readers will find in its price range. Bright, sculpted and highly nuanced to the core, the Blanc de Blancs sizzles with tension. The purity of this Chardonnay fruit comes through beautifully. Citrus, white flowers, mint and white pepper add striking top notes. This release is a blend of 50% 2016 and 50% reserve wines from 2015 and 2014. The non-dosé style works especially well here. No dosage. Disgorged: April, 2019." Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, December 2019. 93 points

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: NV
STYLE: sparkling
GRAPE: chardonnay,
FARMING: biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

singulieres-originales-rose-de-meunier-extra-brut-min

Rosé de Meunier

100% pinot meunier containing 50% reserve wines. A blend of 30% macerated meunier, 60% white wine (immediately pressed meunier) and 10% still red meunier. Fermentation in vat, foudre and barrel with partial malolactic. Dosage 2g/l.

The old-vine meunier brings intensity to the bright raspberry and redcurrant aromas, and provides remarkable persistence on the palate. Fairly dry with a delicate mousse and gentle tannins, this is a rosé with plenty of personality and capacity to develop over the next several years.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: NV
STYLE: sparkling rosé
GRAPE: pinot meunier
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak, stainless steel
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

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'Les 7'

A blend of pinot meunier (18%), chardonnay (18%), pinot blanc (17%), pinot meslier (15%), pinot noir (14%), fromenteau (10%) and arbanne (8%). From a plot planted in 2003 by Aurélien’s father, Thierry, which is worked with a horse and plough. The intention was to create a wine that represented the heritage of Champagne, while also learning about the character of the individual varieties - the challenge is to pick each variety when it has reached the balance of maturity and acidity that Laherte seek for all their wines. Fermentation is carried out in used burgundy barrels, with no malolactic. Aged for 6 months with regular lees stirring before bottling with light filtration. The blend is 50% of the current vintage and 50% reserve wines from a solera that contains each vintage since the first in 2005. Disgorgement is by hand, with a dosage of 4g/l.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: MV - solera 2005 - 2014
STYLE: sparkling
GRAPES: pinot meunier, chardonnay, pinot blanc, pinot meslier, pinot noir, fromenteau, arbanne
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

les longues voyes

Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut ‘Les Longues Voyes’ 1er Cru

The pinot noir for this cuvée comes from parcels of clay and silt over limestone in the Montagne de Reims, about 30km from Chavot – hence the name ‘The Long Way’.

Fermentation in barrel harnesses the natural power of pinot noir, leading to an intense fruit and spice character. Aurelien has blocked malolactic here, as with all his vintage cuvées, in order to avoid flabbiness. 18 months extended lees ageing before secondary fermentation gives the wine an openness and immediacy that can be lacking in blanc de noirs. Soaring and powerful, with incredible purity of fruit and complexity.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: 2014
STYLE: sparkling
GRAPE: pinot noir
FARMING: biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

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Les Vignes d'Autrefois

A tribute to the generations that came before, Les Vignes d’Autrefois is made from pinot meunier from selection massale parcels in Chavot and Mancy that were planted from 1947 to 1953. Natural fermentation in used burgundy barrels, with 6 months on the lees, regular bâtonnage and no malolactic. Bottled after light filtration. Dosage 2-4g/l.

Powerful and intense from the start due to the age of the vines, with emphasis on floral and savoury tones rather than overt fruit. This champagne displays remarkable precision that is complemented by the low dosage.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: 2013
STYLE: sparkling white
GRAPE: pinot meunier
FARMING: organic, biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

grands crayeres

Blanc de Blancs 'Les Grandes Crayères'

2014 is the first vintage of this stunning, ultra-racy blanc de blancs. ‘Les Grands Crayères’ was created to show off the terroir of the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay, so for ultimate transparency, of course it has to be 100% chardonnay. The fruit comes from parcels rich in Campanian chalk, with a westerly aspect.

Fermentation is carried out in barrel, with no malolactic, and 6 months lees contact prior to secondary fermentation. Dosage is 4g/l. A singular and powerful expression of chardonnay with striking textural depth.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: 2014
STYLE: sparkling
GRAPE: chardonnay
FARMING: biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

empreintes

'Empreintes'

A blend of 50% chardonnay from Les Chemins d’Épernay (clay and silt over limestone) and 50% pinot noir from Les Rouges Maisons (clay, flint and schist over limestone), both in Chavot and planted in 1957 and 1983 respectively. About one-third of the chardonnay is a mutation known as ‘chardonnay muscaté’ for its aromatic similarity to muscat.

Fermentation is carried out in barrel, with no malolactic, and 6 months lees contact prior to secondary fermentation. The extra brut dosage of 4g/l shows off the sculpted fruit and precise, taut salinity perfectly. Compelling, radiant and super-expressive, with oodles of richness.

quick facts

APPELLATION: Champagne AOP
VINTAGE: 2013
STYLE: sparkling
GRAPE:chardonnay muscaté, pinot noir
FARMING: biodynamic
FERMENTATION: oak
MATURATION: oak, bottle
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 12%
CASE SIZE: 6

Laherte Frères

Under the direction of Aurélien Laherte, Laherte Frères produces a stunning line-up of champagnes that highlight the diverse terroirs of the region. Aurélien takes a natural approach to viticulture and vinification and has quickly become one of the most dynamic and progressive vignerons in Champagne.

Laherte Frères was founded in 1889 in Chavot in the Côteaux Sud d’Epernay, an interesting sub-region sandwiched between the Côtes des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne that combines the soils typical of both regions. The focus of the estate is on pinot meunier, accented with pinot noir and chardonnay. Grapes are sourced from 11 hectares of vines over a whopping 75 different parcels, all worked by Laherte family members (meaning they must be classified as a négociant house despite their grower credentials). 7 hectares are farmed biodynamically, with the remainder worked organically without certification, or at the very least lutte raisonée.

In the cellar, indigenous yeasts are used to start fermentations. All cuvées are at least partly fermented in used oak to enhance their depth and complexity. Malolactic conversion is blocked for some cuvées and only partially completed for others. The wines are bottled unfined and lightly filtered and they are finished with low dosages to avoid masking the individuality of each terroir.