Cuvée 38 Millesime 2005 Reserves, Champagne Henriot

For over 210 years the Henriot family has remained independent, producing World Class Champagne increasingly recognised by wine lovers as a benchmark of quality.  It was in 1880 when Marie Marguet married Paul Henriot and brought with her some of the best Chardonnay plots on the Côte des Blancs that the future was determined. Today Champagne Henriot still holds these plots, an exceptionally high proportion of Premier and Grand Crus. Chardonnay is the essence in their blend. The elegant mineral streak that runs through the wines is a direct translation in the glass of these holdings that are so important to the house. 36 months on lees for the NV and 5 to 6 years on the lees for vintage means that Henriot’s style is generous, with brioche tones floating on the infamous chalky core. This year sees changes in Henriot with the appointment of a new winemaker Alice Tétienne. Alice previously worked at Krug, working both in the vineyards and in the winery. She holds a Master in Vine and Terroir, seeking to understand the influence of the raw material and terroir into bottle. This move by Champagne Henriot to select a winemaker so intensely involved in the quality coming from the vineyards is exciting and can be seen as a new juncture for the house.