Laherte Frères Extra Brut Champagne Ultradition NV 1.5L

93 points and 'Best Buy,' Wine & Spirits: "This is the flagship blend of the house, with fruit from the Côteaux Sud d’Epernay, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. It’s 60 percent meunier, 30 percent chardonnay and 10 percent pinot noir; 40 percent of the blend is reserve wine. With its rose-pink color, red-apple fruit and spice, this tastes like a fresh red wine, its cool clarity enhanced by the pincushion of bubbles that tingle as the mineral flavors dive down through your mouth."

92 points Stephen Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "Based on the 2015 vintage and 40% of reserve wines, the NV Extra Brut Ultradition is an assemblage of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from eight villages and terroirs in the Coteaux Sud d'Epernay and the Marne Valley. Vinified in cuves, pièces and foudres and aged on the lees for six months (with malolactic partly done), this is a deep, pure and complex cuvée. Full-bodied, firm and very mineral yet fine, fresh and pure on the salty palate, the finish reveals charming richness and intense fruit but keeps the firm and chalky expression of this impressive Extra Brut. I'd keep this cuvée for another two or three years, but I suppose it can also age for a decade. Tasted in August 2018 from Lot L.14 that was disgorged in November 2017. Drink: 2021-2028."

92 points James Suckling: "A pleasantly oaky and toasty Champagne, this character and the creaminess from long yeast contact really harmonize the acidity and make this an accessible Extra Brut. A cuvée of 60% pinot meunier from the Vallée de la Marne, plus 30% chardonnay and 10% pinot noir, including 40% reserve wines. All of the base wines were vinified in wooden casks of various sizes, from the Burgundian, 228-liter version upwards. Drink now. (1/5/22)"

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Aurélien Laherte’s Ultradition non-vintage Extra Brut is composed from a cépages of sixty percent pinot meunier, thirty percent chardonnay and ten percent pinot noir. Sixty percent of the vins clairs are barrel-fermented, go through partial malo and the cuvée includes forty percent reserve wines. The current release is from the base year of 2018 and was given three and a half years aging sur latte prior to its disgorgement in September of 2022 and finished with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter. The wine delivers a refined aromatic constellation of white peach, apple, bread dough, chalky soil tones and a delicate topnote of meunier flowers. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and complex, with a lovely core, excellent balance and grip, refined mousse and a long, focused and classy finish. I love Aurélien Laherte’s wines and regret I do not get to taste the full range of his cuvées anymore. 2023-2045. (May/Jun 2023)

91 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The NV Extra Brut Ultradition is powerful, ample and creamy, with tons of richness and plenty of immediacy, all the ingredients for a terrific entry-level wine. The vinous richness of Meunier comes through loud and clear. Orchard fruit, dried flowers, herbs, mint and anise all develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s resonance that leaves the deepest impression. The Ultradition is just impeccable, especially within its peer group. The blend is 60% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from vineyards in the Côteaux Sud d’Epernay, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs, based on 2016 with 40% reserve wines from 2015 and 2014. Dosage: 4.5 gr/L. Disgorged: May, 2019. Drink: 2019-2027."