One of the old houses in Champagne, Henriot began back in 1808. Apolline Henriot, young widow of Nicolas Henriot, founded Maison Henriot as she was a vineyard owner who had a great love for the region. Then fast forward to 1880, Apolline Henriot’s great grandson, Paul Henriot, married a young woman from the Côte des Blancs, Marie Marguet. This marriage gave way to a real transition of the Maison Henriot’s vineyards. Initially composed exclusively of three crus from the Montagne de Reims planted with Pinot Noir (Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly-Champagne), three crus planted with Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs were added: Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Chouilly.
The house is headquartered in Reims and is currently run by the 8th generation of the family. Gilles de Larouzière Henriot, succeeded his uncle Joseph in 2015 and became President of Maisons & Domaines Henriot. The Henriot family also owns Bouchard Pere & Fils, William Fevre and Chateau de Poncie.
I loved the new wines across the board. The 2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne (OB, 93) is absolutely irresistible right now. Full-bodied and rich, this is delicious vintage champagne to consume now. Even better is the sensational 2006 Champagne Henriot ‘Cuvée’ Hemera’ Champagne which sat on the lees for 12 years and is hugely complex and refined stuff. This blend is one of the jewels of the challenging 2006 vintage. Learn more about this famed champagne house at https://www.champagne-henriot.com and here are the beautiful new releases by Champagne Henriot.
NV Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain- This offers forward baked French bread and baking spice dusted pear flavors alongside a soft mousse. Enjoy this now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 90
NV Champagne Henriot ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne- The NV ‘Blanc de Blancs’ comes from 12 cru vineyards and was aged on the lees for more than three years prior to disgorgement. The soft mousse entices, as layers of honey laced melon, white peach and lemon rind dusted brioche all combine brilliantly, with chalky undercurrents. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne- The outstanding 2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne is a generous effort that is showing brilliantly now at the ten year mark. A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir coming from only premier cru and grand cru sites, this sat on the lees for more than eight years prior to disgorgement. Delicate red fruits parade with wild mushroom, lemon oil, peat moss and shades of Japanese pear on the palate. Full-bodied, this is delicious champagne to enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2006 Champagne Henriot ‘Cuvée’ Hemera’ Champagne- Only made in select years, the 2006 ‘Cuvee Hemera’ was aged for 12 years on the lees before disgorgement. Only coming from Grand Cru sites, this beautiful wine by Alice Tétienne blends equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Rich and plump on the mouth, this offers ripe pear and nectarine notes alongside shortbread and ginger dusted French bread notes. Finishing long, this is highly refined, warm vintage wine that is already beautifully evolved. Drink 2022-2032- 95