From the terroirs of Chavot and Épernay, Aurélien Laherte produces a Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) champagne in a Brut Nature, or zero dosage, style. Here, the vine roots reach 2–3 metres deep into chalky subsoils, precisely transmitting mineral salts to the fruit, which results in flavours both lively and briny ‘like the froth of the Atlantic Sea’, as Aurélien explains.

The average age of the vines is 35 years and grapes are picked only when perfectly ripe. Fruit is then gently pressed before undergoing alcoholic fermentation in barrel. Malolactic fermentation is partially allowed. Assemblage comprises up to 50% of barrel-aged reserve wines while zero dosage further supports the finesse and purity of expression.

The sophisticated label was designed by Swedish illustrator Hanna Albrektson, who has elegantly highlighted the aromatics in the cuvée (such as flowers and citrus) as well as possible food matches (such as seafood).

The perfume is delightfully plush in its offering of floral, citrus and shokupan (fluffy Japanese milk bread) aromas along with the heady sensation of opening a fresh packet of sultanas. Initially tense, flavours of ripe apple, stone fruit, persimmon and star fruit burst forth on the mid-palate in balance with a pervasive line of crystalline minerality. An appetising cuvée, Aurélien’s Blanc de Blancs stuns with its long, dry and briny finish that perfectly cleanses the palate for the next sip or bite of food.