Henriot 2015: the nobility of light, the elegance of precision
12
May 2025
Condividi su:
Henriot Millésimée 2015: a luminous identity shaped by light
The first half of 2025 marked a decisive moment for Maison Henriot, blending stylistic evolution with a continuity of vision. During a dedicated evening event, the new Millésime 2015 was unveiled in both Blanc and Rosé versions, alongside a complete label redesign — a visual evolution, sober and essential, inspired by the Champagne vineyard rows, reinforcing the Maison’s authentic identity. The bottle’s profile now appears more modern and streamlined, with the removal of the collerette and embossed emblem, while the use of certified papers, eco-friendly inks, and a more tactile texture reflects the balance between elegance and sustainability. A coherent choice, echoing the founding spirit of Apolline Henriot, which combines historical roots with a forward-looking vision.
During the evening, in addition to the two new Millésimés, guests also tasted the new Blanc Souverain — a name that replaces the former Blanc de Blancs — and the timeless Brut Souverain, the historic cuvée created by Apolline Henriot to celebrate the multiplicity of terroirs. The tasting concluded with a glass of Hemera 2013, a remarkable synthesis of the six founding Grand Crus of the Maison: Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly, Chouilly, Avize, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, blended in equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir after nine years of ageing on lees.
Henriot today renews its language without betraying its origins. It does so with the restraint, precision, and depth that have always defined its style — that of a luminous Maison, in constant dialogue with time.
Millésimée 2015: a luminous identity shaped by light The new Millésimée 2015 reveals a bright and refined expression of a sunny vintage, surprisingly taut, sculpted by the freshness of the Maison Henriot’s historic terroirs. A subtle balance between precision and depth, defined by a blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from Premier and Grand Crus of the Montagne de Reims — Verzenay, Avenay, Mutigny, and Trépail — and from Chouilly, a Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs. The wine was aged for eight years on lees, disgorged in 2024, and features a low dosage of 2.5 g/l.
Alice Tétienne, Chef de Caves of Maison Henriot, firmly states: “This cuvée is far more than a sunny vintage. It is refined, elegant, but above all, surprisingly fresh. Our vineyards in the northern Montagne and the Côte des Blancs expressed both tension and precision, and the unusual percentage of Pinot Noir helped shape an unexpected aromatic profile.”
On the nose, it opens with elegant intensity: citrus aromas of pink grapefruit and lemon zest, and fruity notes of peach and apricot rise over a floral background of broom, chamomile, and white blossoms. This is followed by hints of honey and fresh almond, spicy notes of white pepper, accents of aromatic herbs, and touches of liquorice, nougat, and cocoa bean.
On the palate, it is vibrant and structured. The fine effervescence supports a broad texture, marked by a perfect balance between saline acidity and fruity tension. The mid-palate shows dynamic progression, with re-emerging citrus and dried fruit notes, and echoes of star anise. The finish is long, defined by saline minerality and a bitter hint that gracefully extends the flavour profile with elegance and depth.
Over two centuries since its foundation, the Maison continues Apolline Henriot’s mission: “to shed light on her lands through Champagne.” And in this cuvée, that light becomes substance, takes shape, and translates into depth. Henriot Rosé Millésimé 2015: the intensity of rosé
Henriot Rosé Millésimé 2015 is one of the Maison’s most ambitious expressions, crafted only in vintages capable of enhancing the aromatic signature of its terroirs through precise blending and long ageing.
For this vintage, Henriot selected only Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages, tracing an emotional map of Champagne that fuses depth and freshness: the crus of Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay, Mutigny, Chouilly, and Avize are the protagonists of a blend where Pinot Noir (63%) provides structure and vinosity, while Chardonnay (37%) contributes tension and verticality. A 10% addition of red wine, vinified by maceration from a single parcel in Aÿ, signs the cuvée with a touch of saline elegance. After seven years of lees ageing, disgorgement took place in 2023, with an extra brut dosage of 3 g/l, enhancing the wine’s balance and expressive transparency.
A structured, precise, and luminous rosé Salmon pink. On the nose, it reveals a broad and captivating bouquet: orange zest, redcurrants, dog rose, pink pepper, and spicy hints of curry. These are followed by raspberry, wild strawberry, rose petals, touches of thyme and rosemary, all lifted by notes of pastry and toasted hazelnut.
On the palate, the attack is fresh and direct, supported by a fine, saline, and vibrant texture that evolves with balance between juicy fruit and chalky minerality. The substance, almost silky, is counterbalanced by bright acidity, delicate tannins, and deeper citrus tones. The finish is long and chiselled, with echoes of star anise and liquorice, while the persistent close offers a saline echo and a bitter touch that extends the finale with tension.
Champagne Henriot thus signs a cuvée that is harmonious, rich in energy and depth: a rosé that embodies the luminous style of the Maison, that aura dear to Apolline Henriot, still resonating in the wine’s effervescence.
Brut Souverain Magnum: a luminous and timeless signature
A blend of 43% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay and 8% Meunier, sourced from 29 crus of the 2016 harvest, complemented by 34% reserve wines, half from the previous vintage, the other half from the réserve perpétuelle of earlier Brut Souverain cuvées. Aged for seven years on lees, it was disgorged on 25 February 2024, with a dosage of 5.2 g/l.
A mosaic of terroirs for a classic, luminous expression This is the most historic cuvée of Maison Henriot, created in 1808 by Apolline Henriot with the ambition to “shed light on her lands” through a great Champagne capable of expressing the identity of her vineyards. Unlike a vintage cuvée, designed to reflect a single harvest, Brut Souverain is born from a blend of crus, grape varieties and reserve wines from different years, offering a broad, coherent and transversal vision of the Maison’s viticultural heritage. Today, the Henriot vineyard extends over 29 crus, with a predominance of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a small percentage of Meunier.
An elegant and generous signature Brut Souverain embodies the Henriot style: complex yet fresh, always elegant. On the nose, it expresses a refined bouquet: citrus fruits, white and yellow orchard fruits, apple, mirabelle plum, pear and melon intertwine with white flowers, toasted almond and light spicy notes. The whole is traversed by a subtle chalky streak.
On the palate, the attack is lively and creamy, supported by a fine effervescence. The aromas expand into citrus tones, with saline echoes and a long, precise finish. The substance deepens towards the close, with hints of iodine and a delicate almond-like signature.
Brut Souverain is more than an expressive Champagne: it is Apolline Henriot’s founding gesture, an act of vision. A cuvée that does not narrate a single year, but an identity, that of a Maison faithful to its past and in constant dialogue with time.
Blanc de Blancs becomes Blanc Souverain: the mineral elegance of Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay, sourced from 12 crus, mainly Grand Cru and Premier Cru, from the 2018 harvest, with the addition of 20% reserve wines, part of which comes from the réserve perpétuelle. Aged for 5 years on lees, it was disgorged in 2024, with a dosage of 3.5 g/l.
The bond between Maison Henriot and Chardonnay dates back to 1880, when Paul Henriot, fourth generation of the family, married Marie Marguet, heir to a prestigious estate in the Côte des Blancs. That union gave birth not only to a new vision for the Maison, but also to a vineyard entirely dedicated to Chardonnay.
It is within this story that Blanc Souverain takes shape, an emblematic cuvée conceived to celebrate the luminous elegance of the great terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, in full respect of the blending philosophy set forth by Apolline Henriot in 1808.
This Blanc de Blancs presents itself as an authentic portrait of the Henriot style, where purity, tension and depth merge into a refined and brilliant texture.
On the nose, it opens with seductive aromas of peach, pineapple and sweet citrus such as lemon and grapefruit, followed by spicy notes of green pepper and floral hints of broom and lemon leaf. Subtle accents of white pepper emerge, completing a faceted and precise aromatic profile.
On the palate, the attack is dynamic, supported by a bright acidity that brings energy and verticality. The finish is saline and refreshing, sustained by a clear mineral texture that reflects the calcareous character of the Côte des Blancs. The complexity is enhanced by the exotic touch of the crus from the Sézannais and the tension of the Montagne de Reims crus, which complete the whole with broader, more generous notes.
Henriot Blanc Souverain is a tribute to the richness of the terroirs, a cuvée that tells the story of the Maison through the elegance and precision of Chardonnay.
Hemera 2013: the harmony of Henriot’s six historic Grand Crus
The Hemera cuvée represents the symbol of the union between the founding terroirs of Maison Henriot. A story that begins in 1808, when Apolline Henriot founded the Maison and established the first core of the vineyard among Verzy, Verzenay and Mailly-Champagne, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims.
In 1880, the estate was enriched with three new Grand Crus from the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly.
From this connection, Hemera was born, which in the 2013 harvest expresses itself through an equal blend of the six historic crus, perfectly balancing 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, exclusively from Grand Cru classified villages.
The 2013 vintage, after nine years of ageing on lees and a disgorgement in 2023, with a dosage of 3.5 g/l, reveals a cuvée of rare expressive precision and elegant tension.
On the nose, it opens with delicate aromas of bergamot and candied lemon, which evolve into notes of toasted almond and subtly smoky hints, creating a refined and well-structured aromatic profile.
On the palate, it appears fresh and intense, with a harmonious structure supported by chalky mineral tension that brings depth and verticality. The long finish is saline, confirming a measured and precise interpretation of a highly refined vintage, capable of combining energy and finesse.
Maison Henriot, with Hemera 2013, signs a luminous and profound expression of its own history, a cuvée that unites balance, precision and refinement, transparently narrating the legacy of its most emblematic terroirs.
