One of the great Champagne Houses, Henriot, has a long history of making some of the region's top wines. For hundreds of years, this address has perfected the art of Champagne making, and one of the long-time favorites and best buys for Tete de Cuvee had been the Enchateleaurs, which spent some of the longest time on the lees for Grand Marque Champagne. The Enchateleurs was recently discontinued, making way for a few new Henriot Cuvees, with l'Inattendue being the newest addition to the House. While this isn't a tete de Cuvee, it is a serious bottle that wholly represents the Henriot name and is the first single village Champagne they have ever produced. This is quite a change for a house like Henriot and most certainly was influenced by the increasing grower category.
When winemaker Gilles de Larouziere-Henriot tasted this Chardonnay vin clair from Avize, he advocated for it to be bottled solo. His dream became a reality and was released two years ago, and has only improved with time in the bottle. This is a magnificent blanc de blancs and is very precise and chiseled with incredible minerality and citrus fruits with a very focused intensity on the palate. This is a milestone cuvee for Henriot, being the first and only single village cuvee they have produced, showing how capable they are as one of the top Grand Marque houses and that they are willing to adapt to the current environment of Champagne. We have original release pricing today on some of the only bottles available in the USA falling far below the current going rate, and it is a fantastic intersection of Grand Marque refinement and grower expression.
Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 94 points! "When Gilles de Larouzière took the reins chez Henriot and tasted the vins clairs of the 2016 vintage with his team, one cuvée from Avize stood out from the crowd enough that it seemed to merit a tirage of its own. The result is the 2016 Brut L'inattendue, disgorged after four years on the lees with four grams per liter dosage. It's a demonstrative, expressive Champagne, bursting with aromas of white peach, crisp orchard fruit and confit lemon mingled with subtle hints of buttery pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and attractively vinous palate, its fleshy core of fruit complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Already drinking well, it's testimony to the exciting things happening at this historic house."
Decanter 94 points! "Slightly smoky, bolstered by a chalky touch to the flint-accented nose which expresses an array of white and citrus fruit, as well as an enticing floral component. The mouthfeel has crystalline purity and is finely balanced, with citrussy acidity that delivers freshness and lift on the chalk-textured, flower-infused finish. Just the right amount of refreshing bitterness makes this an ideal partner for gastronomic dishes. Malolactic fermentation is de rigueur for Henriot. Ageing on lees before bottling was carried out in stainless steel. Dosage of 4g/l and disgorged in June 2021."
Antonio Galloni 93 points! "The 2016 L’Inattandue (Chardonnay) is loaded with apricot, lemon confit, baked apple tart, sweet spice and light tropical accents. The more exuberant side of Chardonnay comes through loud and clear in an effusive, inviting Champagne that will be ready to give pleasure upon release. A touch of toastiness lingers on the close. This is very nicely done."
2016 Henriot Champagne Grand Cru L’Inattendue Blanc de Blancs
2016 Henriot Champagne Grand Cru L’Inattendue Blanc de Blancs
One of the great Champagne Houses, Henriot, has a long history of making some of the region's top wines. For hundreds of years, this address has perfected the art of Champagne making, and one of the long-time favorites and best buys for Tete de Cuvee had been the Enchateleaurs, which spent some of the longest time on the lees for Grand Marque Champagne. The Enchateleurs was recently discontinued, making way for a few new Henriot Cuvees, with l'Inattendue being the newest addition to the House. While this isn't a tete de Cuvee, it is a serious bottle that wholly represents the Henriot name and is the first single village Champagne they have ever produced. This is quite a change for a house like Henriot and most certainly was influenced by the increasing grower category.
When winemaker Gilles de Larouziere-Henriot tasted this Chardonnay vin clair from Avize, he advocated for it to be bottled solo. His dream became a reality and was released two years ago, and has only improved with time in the bottle. This is a magnificent blanc de blancs and is very precise and chiseled with incredible minerality and citrus fruits with a very focused intensity on the palate. This is a milestone cuvee for Henriot, being the first and only single village cuvee they have produced, showing how capable they are as one of the top Grand Marque houses and that they are willing to adapt to the current environment of Champagne. We have original release pricing today on some of the only bottles available in the USA falling far below the current going rate, and it is a fantastic intersection of Grand Marque refinement and grower expression.
Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 94 points! "When Gilles de Larouzière took the reins chez Henriot and tasted the vins clairs of the 2016 vintage with his team, one cuvée from Avize stood out from the crowd enough that it seemed to merit a tirage of its own. The result is the 2016 Brut L'inattendue, disgorged after four years on the lees with four grams per liter dosage. It's a demonstrative, expressive Champagne, bursting with aromas of white peach, crisp orchard fruit and confit lemon mingled with subtle hints of buttery pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and attractively vinous palate, its fleshy core of fruit complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Already drinking well, it's testimony to the exciting things happening at this historic house."
Decanter 94 points! "Slightly smoky, bolstered by a chalky touch to the flint-accented nose which expresses an array of white and citrus fruit, as well as an enticing floral component. The mouthfeel has crystalline purity and is finely balanced, with citrussy acidity that delivers freshness and lift on the chalk-textured, flower-infused finish. Just the right amount of refreshing bitterness makes this an ideal partner for gastronomic dishes. Malolactic fermentation is de rigueur for Henriot. Ageing on lees before bottling was carried out in stainless steel. Dosage of 4g/l and disgorged in June 2021."
Antonio Galloni 93 points! "The 2016 L’Inattandue (Chardonnay) is loaded with apricot, lemon confit, baked apple tart, sweet spice and light tropical accents. The more exuberant side of Chardonnay comes through loud and clear in an effusive, inviting Champagne that will be ready to give pleasure upon release. A touch of toastiness lingers on the close. This is very nicely done."
