Description / Reviews
"Base 2020. Disgorged September 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 this low-yielding variety has been largely forgotten in Champagne, the Laherte family has remained attached to the grape’s personality and ability to retain acidity, even in warmer vintages. Between 2018 and 2023, Laherte established a mid-slope vineyard on Chavot’s clay/limestone soils, using mass-selection 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). The result is an intense and supple yet impeccably fresh Champagne crammed with juicy peach and burnt orange fruit woven through with Meslier’s Alpine meadow complexity. This is a deliciously daring, not to mention hugely promising, wine from Aurélien Laherte." - Bibendum, Importer
"The NV Extra Brut Petit Meslier (2020 base) opens with an intriguing mix of citrus confit, marzipan and passion fruit, followed by a kick of bright acids that pull it all together nicely. Petit Meslier is the last variety to ripen in Champagne. It’s gaining in prominence given how well its attributes are suited to a world in which climate change is an increasing challenge. Here, Petit Meslier offers a compelling interplay of tropical fruit and energy. This release is a blend of 60% 2020 and 40% 2019. Dosage is 2 grams per liter." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
