Laherte Freres Les Vignes d’Autrefois 2016

The 2016 Extra Brut Vignes d’Autrefois is 100% Meunier from vines planted in 1947 and 1964 done in neutral oak. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2016 offers a compelling interplay of Meunier richness with striking layers of intense minerality that open over time. Sweet floral notes add inner perfume and the closing flourishes of finesse. This is such a gorgeous wine. Dosage is 2-4 grams per liter. 96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Limited release. Disgorged in February 2020. 100% Pinot Meunier. Les Vignes d’Autrefois (the vines of another time) is made from a single four-tonne press of grapes from old vines planted between 1947 and 1964 that grow in several chalky terroirs in Chavot and Mancy. The viticulture at these sites is entirely biodynamic. As well as referencing the age of the vines, the name also refers to the fact that these vines are all massale selections (i.e. non-clonal). There is even a soupçon of ungrafted vine material scattered throughout these vineyards.

Aurélien uses old Burgundy barrels for the aging (including some sourced from Montille and Leroux) and there was no malo. All up the wine was aged for seven months in barrel followed by 30 months on lees in bottle. The very low dosage of three grams per litre allows the iodine minerality of these chalky terroirs to sing through.

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