Laherte Frères Les 7

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Laherte’s NV Extra Brut Les 7 Disg. 1/2012 – latest rendition of a cuvee he formerly labeled “Les Clos” – is unusual in two respects; first, it’s a solera dating to the first harvest of these young vines in 2005; secondly, the vines in question represent a field-blend consisting of 18% Chardonnay, 18% Meunier, 17% Pinot Blanc, 15% Petit Meslier, 14% Pinot (Noir), 10% Fromenteau (a.k.a. Pinot Gris), and 8% Arbanne. Lemon and grapefruit, cucumber and celery root make for a bright, crunchy, metaphorically cooling persona. When mingled with oyster liquor, this makes for a mouthwateringly savory, mineral-rich impression that really carries the energetic, brightly bursting finish to extreme lengths. If you don’t feel as though you have been profoundly refreshed and your salivary glands tapped out after a couple of glasses of this, then I don’t know what libation could have that effect. While I can’t speak from any direct experience, my hunch is that this will be worth following for at least half a dozen years.

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