Today we share one of the oldest houses in Champagne, dating back to 1808. Champagne Henriot begins with Apolline Henriot, a young widow of Nicolas Henriot, who 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, 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 Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne (TEVC). The new wines were seriously good and I adored there 2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne (OB, 94) which is drinking so well right now. 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- Soft and approachable the ‘Brut Souverain’ offers brioche and hazelnut notes on the palate with shades of green apple. Great now with its stony and salty nuances, enjoy now and over the next six years . Drink 2024-2030- 90
NV Champagne Henriot ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne- The outstanding and neatly textured NV ‘Blanc de Blancs’ was sourced from 12 cru vineyards and was aged on the lees for more than three years prior to disgorgement. Chalky and rich, this shows challah bread and lemon rind notes on the palate with candied ginger. Fresh and generous enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
NV Champagne Henriot ‘Brut Rose’ Champagne- A really delicious wine that is considerably better at a warmer temperature, the NV Champagne Henriot ‘Brut Rose’ Champagne shows toasted walnut notes on the palate alongside pomegranate seed, kumquat zest and shades of salted raspberry. Displaying good richness, enjoy this beauty now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne- A really good showing from this esteemed vintage, the 2012 Champagne Henriot ‘Brut’ Champagne combines 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir coming from only premier cru and grand cru sites. Stored for more than eight years before disgorgement, this is offering generous citrus and melon fruit flavors alongside nutty and bread accents. Full-bodied and utterly fabulous with its hints of white truffle enjoy over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2016 Champagne Henriot ‘L’Inattendue’ Blanc de Blancs- The glorious 2016 L’Inattendue comes from a grand cru site in Avize and spent four years on the lees. Given 4G/L dosage this delivers loads of lemon oil and kumquat zest flavors, as this is heady and intense with nutty and earthy nuances alongside roasted hazelnuts and Yakima cherry notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95