Laherte Freres 'Ultradition' Champagne
Regular price $133.00
Unit price per
- TASTING NOTE: “The NV Extra Brut Ultradition is a very pretty, gracious wine consisting of a blend of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from eight vineyard sources. Perfumed floral and spice notes give the Ultradition lovely brightness to match its mid-weight, notably vinous personality. Orchard fruit, chamomile, dried herbs, mint and crushed rocks are all wonderfully expressive, if a bit light. This is an especially nuanced edition. Disgorged: March 2023.” 90 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
- ABOUT THE WINE: Disgorged March 2023. Dubbed “just impeccable, especially within its peer group” by Galloni, Ultradition is made from biodynamically grown fruit. There are now two reserve vintages blended in, making up 40% of the blend, and 60% comprises barrel-aged material. The varietal blend remains 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, with the fruit drawn from seven different parcels across the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay and Vallée de la Marne (namely Chavot, Mancy, Morangis, Le Breuil, Boursault, Moussy and Vaudancourt). The average age of the vines is 30 years. Aurélien Laherte naturally ferments the juice in a mixture of vessels, including two 50-hectolitre Rousseau tronconique casks, old barrels, foudre and concrete. Regardless of vessel, the wines are always on lees and malolactic conversion is partially completed (around 60-70% on average). Based on the 2020 vintage with 40% reserve wines from 2019 and 2018, this bottling was disgorged with a dosage of 4.5 g/L (extra brut).
- ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Laherte Frères was founded in 1889 by Jean-Baptiste Laherte, although the Laherte family sold grapes to the local cooperative for many years. Michel Laherte, the father of current proprietors Thierry and Christian Laherte, began to bottle champagne under his own label, and when brothers Thierry and Christian took over the estate, they appropriately changed the name back to Laherte Frères. Since 2002, they have been joined by Thierry’s son Aurélien, who represents the seventh generation of his family to grow vines in this area and is now fully in charge of the estate. The Lahertes own ten hectares of vines, spread over an astonishing 75 parcels in ten different villages. All farming practices are biodynamic or organic. Laherte Frères is registered as a négociant-manipulant, but in reality this is true grower champagne, and all of the wines are estate-grown. The NM designation is the result of a bureaucratic formality: each member of the immediate family—Thierry, Christian, Aurélien, his mother Laurence—owns a portion of vines, and the company of Laherte Frères “purchases” the grapes from the family members. If it were registered today it would likely be called an SR (société de récoltant), but that structure did not exist at the time.
- COUNTRY: France
- REGION: Champagne
- SUB-REGION: Vallee de la Marne
- VARIETAL: Pinot Meunier 60%, Chardonnay 30%, Pinot Noir 10%
- WINE STYLE: Sparkling Wine
- WINEMAKER: Aurélien Laherte
- CALSSIFICATION: Minimal Intervention, Grower Champagne, Unfined & Unfiltered, Organic/Biodynamic Farming, Vegan
- CLOSURE: Cork
- ABV%: 12.5%
- SIZE: 750ml
FAQ
FAQ
Q: I need help making a drink selection! Can you help?
A: Of course. Drop into the Wine Store or get in touch.
Q: What are my pickup options?
A: Select 'pickup' when you place your online order and you can collect anytime during our opening hours.
Pickup is available during our opening hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11am - 9pm
Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed
Q: Can someone else pickup my order?
A: Yes if they have your receipt. However all alcohol orders must be picked up by an individual 18 year or older. Proof of age and sobriety are required as per RSA regulation.
Q: What are my delivery/shipping options?
A: Please check out our shipping policy.
Q: How do I make payment?
A: We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or through Paypal. If you have a question about your payment please refer to your order number when you get in touch.
Q: I've ordered a digital gift certificate. When will I receive?
A: Once we reconcile your payment, you will receive your voucher via email.
Q: Can I use a gift certificate against multiple transactions?
A: Yes.
Q: I'm ordering a gift for someone. Can you supply a gift note for the wine I have ordered for them?
A: Yes. You can include a gift message when you add the item to your shopping cart in the 'special instructions' box. Please email us at if you have any trouble with this and quote your order number and we will make it all happen!
Q: I'm need to order multiple gifts! Can you help?
A: Of course. Check out our Wine Gifting page.