Legras & Haas Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs EXTRA Brut NV

The Legras & Haas Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs EXTRA Brut ‘L’Évidence’ is a modern, purist champagne from the Grand Cru vineyard of Chouilly. It is regarded as the house’s single-varietal Chardonnay speciality and embodies the signature style of a young yet tradition-rooted family-run business.

Here is a detailed review of this champagne.

1. Basic information

2. Origin & Historical Background

The Legras & HaasChampagne house was foundedin 1991 by François Legras and Brigitte Haas. François, born in Chouilly in 1937 , is the heir to a winemaking tradition stretching back over 400 years. Brigitte Haas, having moved from Alsace, brought a fresh perspective to the house. Today, the estate is run by their three sons , Rémi, Olivier and Jérôme, representing the third generation.

The name ‘L’Évidence’ (the obvious) says it all: it is intended to emphasise the clear, unmistakable quality and pure character of this Champagne . The house sees itself as a specialist in superb Blanc de Blancs.

3. Terroir & Grapes

The grapes for this champagne come exclusively from the Grand Cru commune of Chouilly on the Côte des Blancs. Chouilly is renowned for its chalky soils, which lend the wine a distinctive minerality and freshness.

The Chardonnay grapes are harvestedfrom selected plots with old vines on the family’s oldest slopes. Only the first pressing (cuvée) is used for the blend . Around 30 per cent of reserve wines from the estate’s own ‘Solera’ system are blended into the cuvée, ensuring complexity and consistent quality.

4. Vinification & Ageing

Production follows the classic Méthode Champenoise with a few distinctive features:

• Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks.

• Initial ageing: After fermentation, the wine matures on its fine lees in stainless steel tanksfor 8 months.

• Second fermentation: Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, followed by a long ageing period of 5 to 6 years (60 months) in the cellar prior to disgorging.

• Dosage: The champagne receives a very low dosage of just 2 to 3.15 g/l, making it an Extra Brut for purists .

5. Character & flavour profile

The ‘L’Évidence’ is a champagne for lovers of dry, mineral wines. It is consistently describedby critics and retailers as precise, elegant and complex:

• Colour: Pale yellow with a greenish sheen and fine, persistent perlage.

• Nose: Multi-layered with notes of flint, chalk, brioche, sourdough, lemon zest, white grapefruit and spiced pear. A smoky, reductive character is also typical.

• Palate: The champagne is bone-dry, straightforward and super-clean. It displays a creamy texture with flavours of apple, pear and citrus. The chalky, mineral freshness and a salty note characterise the long, lingering finish.

The wine initially appears compact, but unfolds with impressive power and presenceon the palate .

6. Awards & Ratings

The Legras & Haas Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut has already received several significant awards:

7. Food pairings

Thanks to its crisp acidity and minerality, this champagne is a versatile accompaniment:

• As an aperitif: Ideal for an elegant start.

• Seafood: Oysters, sea urchins, clams, tuna.

• Fish & poultry: Grilled fish, seafood pasta or risotto.

• Cheese: Bayonne ham, soft cream cheese such as Reblochon.

8. Availability & Price

This champagne is readily available from specialist retailers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Prices vary depending on the retailer and quantity:

9. Conclusion

The Legras & Haas Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs EXTRA Brut ‘L’Évidence’ is a modern classic from Champagne. It combines the Legras family’s centuries-old winemaking tradition with the precision and purity of an Extra Brut. Its origins in the Grand Cru vineyard of Chouilly, the single-varietal Chardonnay and the long ageing on the lees lend it an impressive complexity, mineral depth and an unmistakable, smoky-reductive character.

For lovers of dry, terroir-driven champagnes, ‘L’Évidence’ is an excellent example of the art of Blanc de Blancs – a purist, elegant yet powerful wine that can continue to mature for many years to come.