2014 Laherte Freres Les Grandes Crayeres Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Aurélien Laherte’s second Blanc de Blancs bottling, Les Grandes Crayeres showcases Laherte’s two most mineral soils in Côteaux Sud d'Épernay. These parcels of 40-plus-year-old Massale selection are situated on a west-facing hillside composed of Campanian chalk with very little topsoil. The base wine is fermented wild in old barrels, aged three to ten years old, and does not go through malo. It then spent 30 months on lees in bottle, and a further nine months resting after disgorgement before commercial release. Dosage is 3-4 g/L.
A fine airy mousse slowly dissipates to reveal a pale straw base that has a very fine and persistent bead flowing through it. Refined aromas of baked bread, citrus and yeast lees are complexed by notions of toast, faint honeyed notes and subtle biscuity cashew nuances. Graceful, subtlety creamed in its mouthfeel and very long, the palate has an understated richness with flavours of yeast lees, baked bread and fresh citrus holding their own over some oily toast, light almond and chalky mineral characters. Finishes dry with crisp, chalky acidity. The long aftertaste building in richness as it lingers.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews….
Here in its first release, the 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Grandes Crayères is another fabulous wine from Aurelien Laherte. Powerful in the glass, the 2014 possesses striking textural depth and resonance. This is an especially potent, structured expression of Chardonnay. I loved it. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 2018. Drink 2018-2029.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous