Laherte Freres Champagne Les 7 Solera Extra Brut

Laherte Frères Champagne Les 7 Soléra 2005–2021 is one of the most characterful and distinctive grower Champagnes on the market, crafted from all seven of Champagne’s authorized grape varieties. Drawn from a single perpetual reserve (solera) begun in 2005 and refreshed through the 2021 harvest, it offers a rare snapshot of nearly two decades of vintages in a single bottle. This cuvée is both a tribute to Champagne’s heritage and a vivid expression of Laherte’s artisanal, terroir-driven approach.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Les 7 Soléra shows a luminous, pale golden hue with an ultra-fine, persistent mousse that speaks to careful élevage and long lees contact. The nose is complex and inviting, revealing layers of yellow orchard fruit, citrus zest, quince and Mirabelle, intertwined with notes of toasted brioche, crushed almonds, wildflowers and a delicate herbal/mineral edge. On the palate, this Champagne is tense yet generous, walking a precise line between richness and chalky freshness. Flavors of ripe pear, baked apple and white peach are lifted by blood orange, lemon curd and subtle red-fruited hints from the Pinot varieties. There’s a savory, almost saline backbone, with gentle spice, biscuit and nutty nuances that come from the long-running solera. The finish is long, mouthwatering and very detailed, suggesting strong aging potential. Enjoy it now for its vibrancy and complexity, or cellar it for 5–10 years to further develop its nutty, tertiary depth.

Production
Les 7 Soléra is sourced primarily from old vines around Chavot and neighboring villages in the Côteaux Sud d’Épernay, an area known for its chalk, clay and flinty soils that impart both breadth and mineral drive. All seven traditional Champagne grapes—Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and Arbane—are meticulously hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to preserve natural acidity and aromatic intensity. The base wines are vinified separately, largely in neutral oak barrels and small vats, with a focus on native yeasts, minimal intervention and detailed élevage. Each year a portion of the solera, which began in 2005, is drawn off for bottling and replenished with the latest vintage (here up to 2021), creating a layered, multi-vintage tapestry. Extended lees aging in bottle adds further texture, finesse and complexity before release.

Food & Serving
This is a highly versatile gastronomic Champagne that shines at the table. It pairs beautifully with oysters and shellfish, scallop carpaccio, tuna tartare, and refined sushi, but also complements roast poultry, veal in light cream sauces, mushroom dishes and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère. Serve at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to reveal its full aromatic range without muting the texture. A gentle 20–30 minute decant in a wide-bowled white wine or Champagne glass can help the wine open up, especially if served with more complex dishes.

Producer
Laherte Frères is a family-run grower estate established in 1889 and based in Chavot, in the southern part of the Champagne region in France. Today the domaine is led by Aurélien Laherte, who has become one of the leading voices of the grower-Champagne movement, championing low-intervention farming and precise, terroir-focused cuvées. With holdings across the Côteaux Sud d’Épernay and the Vallée de la Marne, Laherte Frères cultivates a range of traditional and forgotten grape varieties, often working organically or biodynamically and harvesting by hand. Their innovative use of solera aging, emphasis on individual parcels and commitment to expressing the full diversity of Champagne’s heritage have made them a reference point for serious Champagne enthusiasts worldwide.