France | Champagne | Laherte Freres | Champagne Les Empreintes Extra Brut

Champagne Les Empreintes Extra Brut

Varietals
50% Chardonnay (a third of which is Chardonnay Muscaté), 50% Pinot Noir

Notes
VINTAGE: 2014 - disgorged 2/2020

VINEYARD: Les Chemins d'Epernay (Chardonnay), planted in 1957 on clay soils with a layer of silt on the surface and a chalky subsoil.
Les Rouges Maisons (Pinot noir), planted in 1983 on a combination of clay, flint, and schist, with a chalky subsoil.

VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested followed by traditional press. Natural fermentation occurs in Burgundian barrels (aged 10 years, minimum). No malolactic fermentation. The wine matures over 6 months with regular lees stirring. Disgorged by hand in February 2020. Dosage 4 Gr/L.

PRESS/REVIEWS: The 2014 Extra Brut Les Empreintes, a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay/Chardonnay Muscatel, is another stellar wine in this range. There is a real sense of weight to the Empreintes. Red plum, kirsch, dried flowers and spice accents fill out the layers in a super expressive, vinous Champagne loaded with character. The only problem with the Empreintes is it is surrounded by equally compelling wines throughout this range. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2020.

-- Antonio Galloni 94 (VINOUS, 11.19.2020)