“For readers who want to explore the cutting edge of grower Champagne, I can think of few estates that match Laherte for the breadth and quality of the wines.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous Some of the best things happen slowly. Aurélien Laherte took over the family estate in 2005, in his early twenties, succeeding his father Thierry and uncle Christian. What has followed is a steady and deliberate evolution—both in the vineyard and the cellar—that now places Laherte among the most distinctive voices in the region. Farming has moved toward greater precision and sensitivity to site, while the winemaking has become increasingly assured: indigenous fermentations, élevage in neutral oak, extended lees ageing and a growing reliance on reserve wines. The result is a set of cuvées defined by clarity, texture and complexity. Antonio Galloni recently described Laherte as producing “some of the most compelling wines in all of Champagne,” while Jérôme Prévost—a leading voice for Meunier—has expressed similar admiration. The domaine has also been awarded a second star by the Guide de la Revue du Vin de France, citing the precision, complexity and emotion of the wines. Much of this identity is rooted in the Coteaux Sud d’Épernay, where over 60% of the estate’s holdings lie, at the intersection of the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. It is a terroir that lends both tension and breadth, and Laherte has been instrumental in revealing its full potential. If it’s been some time since you last tasted these wines, this release is well worth revisiting.