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Les Empreintes Extra-Brut Laherte Frères ----

This illustrious champagne house, founded in 1889, is now under the care of its fifth and sixth generations. Thierry and his son Aurélien manage the property masterfully, with vineyards extending across over 11 hectares on the Côte de Blanc, the slopes of Sud d'Epernay and the Marne valley. A certain philosophy is applied to the vineyard work with a preference for natural practises. Laherte Frères is one of those rare houses still growing some of the Champagne region's forgotten grape varieties, namely Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and Arbanne which all go into Les 7 along with the three classic varieties. The vineyards are propagated using massal selection and the majority of champagnes are vinified in wood. The élevage is particularly well executed and precise without going over the top. Malolactic fermentation is often avoided. This vineyard produces excellent, flavoursome de terroir champagnes with a strong personality. They are particularly popular with connoisseurs and critics.

Les Empreintes ('impressions') is worthy of its name, as it is produced with a desire to give the most representative impression of each of the aspects which characterise the terroirs in which the two grapes used in its production are grown: Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Each is harvested by hand at optimal maturity, then vinified separately without malolactic fermentation in order to increase the final champagne's keeping potential. The wines are then matured separately on fine lees for 6 months, which gives them warmth and density. On the nose, aromas of black berries mingle harmoniously with more complex touches, reminiscent of game scents. The palate may appear vinous, full bodied and dense as a consequence of the wine's élevage. But the mid-palate provides glimpses of spicy aromas which reinforce the complexity and provide a very fresh finish. This cuvée can be kept in your cellar for up to 10 years under favourable conditions.