Laherte Freres Les Vignes d'Autrefois Vieilles Vignes de Meunier 2020

The 2020 vintage of Les Vignes d’Autrefois is a deeply expressive and concentrated cuvée from very old Pinot Meunier vines, many planted over a century ago. These heritage plots — some ungrafted, others pre-war — give the wine remarkable purity, intensity, and terroir transparency.

The 2020 season in Champagne produced ripe, beautifully balanced fruit, making this release particularly vibrant, layered, and gastronomic.

A standout collector’s bottle and one of the finest old-vine Meunier expressions in the region.

🍾 Tasting Notes

Aroma: ripe pear, baked apple, quince, Mirabelle plum, raspberry, crushed chalk, dried flowers, light smoke, hazelnut, and delicate pastry notes.
Palate: generous yet precise — combining richness from old vines with the tension of the 2020 vintage. Fine, silky mousse; deep orchard fruit; fresh citrus; mineral backbone; hints of spice and herbal complexity.
Finish: long, textured, and elegant, with a persistent mineral-saline line.

🍽 Perfect Pairings

• Scallops, langoustines, crab

• Duck breast or quail with citrus glaze

• Mushroom risotto, white truffle dishes

• Aged alpine cheeses (Comté, Beaufort, Tomme)

• A contemplative gastronomic Champagne

📍 Origin

• Region: Chavot–Courcourt, Vallée de la Marne (Champagne, France)

• Producer: Laherte Frères

• Vineyards: Single-parcel selection of vines planted between 1904–1947

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Meunier

• Vintage: 2020

• Style: Extra Brut or Brut Nature (depending on disgorgement)

📦 Technical Details

• Farming: Organic/biodynamic principles; minimal intervention

• Vinification: Oak barrels for fermentation and aging; spontaneous yeasts; minimal sulfur

• Dosage: Very low or zero (varies by release)

• Alcohol: ~12% ABV

• Serving Temp: 8–10°C

• Aging Potential: 2024–2035+

💎 Why We Selected It

The 2020 release combines the power of century-old vines with the precision and vibrancy of a great vintage.
This is one of Champagne’s benchmark Meunier cuvées — soulful, authentic, and irresistibly complex.