NV Legras & Haas, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru
François Legras began working in his father’s vineyards when he was only 13 years old. He met Brigitte Haas in 1967, and in 1991 they combined their mutual passion for growing and producing Champagne and founded Legras et Haas, in the Grand Cru village of Chouilly. Today they are assisted by their two grown sons, Olivier and Rémi, and they have about 30 hectares of land under vine, in both the Côte des Blancs, and the Aube. “Making wine without being a grape grower,” they say, “makes no sense to us. Winemaking starts in the vineyard and it is crucial to know the history and background of a vineyard or a hill, to make the best Champagne possible.” Legras et Haas use their family-grown estate fruit for all of their Champagnes, but for some of their blended offerings, they supplement with fruit from trusted growers with whom they have long-term relationships. Hence the NM designation on their label. But this Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is always made from selected plots in the family’s Chouilly vineyard, grown on the distinctive, chalky, Kimmeridgean soil. They vinify the grapes from each parcel separately, using a long, cool fermentation process in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and fully express the Chouilly character. The result? An elegant, creamy, silky Champagne with fine bubbles, and aromas of almond, pear, butter, and pastry. At only $49.75, this Champagne would be excellent as an aperitif, or paired with creamy fish or white meat dishes. Enjoy it now or over the next five years.