2008 Champagne Henriot, Cuvée Hemera, Brut
Critics reviews
About to be released. A classic year with typical weather and 'perfect parameters' according to chef de cave Alice Tétienne. Dosage 5 g/l (Brut no longer appears on the front label). Disgorged November 2022.
Discreet nose, lovely tight-knit texture and lots of energy. Chiselled and not nearly at peak but with a really long and interesting aftertaste.
Drink 2023 - 2032
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (March 2023)
A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, the 2008 Brut Cuvée Hemera has a lively first nose of candied lemon and hints of lime and smoke, with aromas of quince, apple and spring flowers. With aeration, notes of almonds and almond flowers come to the fore.
On the palate, there is a nervy tension that energizes its fine, crystalline texture. This is an upright and elegant Champagne with a mouthwateringly long, airy finish. After some time in the glass, it evolves toward notes of smoke, flint, chalk and vanilla. It will drink at its peak in three years.
Drink 2023 - 2030
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (April 2023)
Complexity is the watchword of 2008, reflected by the fact that Alice Tétienne is unable to pick a single ‘leading’ cru to define its characteristics; in fact, the wine boasts both the purity and luminosity of the Chardonnay village of Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger and at the same time the generosity and latent power of the Pinot Noir which comes from the grand cru of Verzenay.
Only disgorged four months previously, the wine is reticent, but only up to a point. One can already discern the seductive marriage of power and elegance, which looks set to inform its future. Rapier acidity already sits comfortably with well-upholstered fruit, and the combination lends intimations of a long and happy evolution. Disgorged: November 2022. Dosage: 5g/L.
Drink 2023 - 2035
Simon Field MW, Decanter.com (March 2023)
About this WINE
Champagne Henriot
Founded in 1808, the House of Henriot has a long and storied history of crafting exceptional Champagne. As a family-owned Champagne house, it has passed down the art of winemaking from generation to generation over the years.
Champagne Henriot is well-known for its commitment to quality, focusing on producing limited quantities of high-end, premium Champagne. They have access to some of the finest vineyards in the region, allowing them to source the best grapes to create their blends.
The house takes a traditional and meticulous approach to winemaking, utilising Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes to craft their Champagnes. This careful selection of grapes and their commitment to traditional techniques result in elegant and refined wines with a perfect balance of fruitiness, freshness, and complexity.
The range includes both vintage and non-vintage cuvées, with each bottle expressing the unique character of the Champagne region. Their wines have earned critical acclaim and are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, making Champagne Henriot a symbol of luxury and excellence in the industry.
Rosé Champagne
Rosé wines are produced by leaving the juice of red grapes to macerate on their skins for a brief time to extract pigments (natural colourings). However, Rosé Champagne is notable in that it is produced by the addition of a small percentage of red wine – usually Pinot Noir from the village of Bouzy – during blending.
Recommended Producers : Billecart Salmon (Elizabeth Salmon Rose), Ruinart
Champagne blend
Which grapes are included in the blend, and their proportion, is one of the key factors determining the style of most Champagnes. Three grapes are used - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
26% of vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay and it performs best on the Côtes des Blancs and on the chalk slopes south of Epernay. It is relatively simple to grow, although it buds early and thus is susceptible to spring frosts. It produces lighter, fresher wines than those from Burgundy and gives finesse, fruit and elegance to the final blend. It is the sole grape in Blancs de Blancs, which are some of the richest long-lived Champagnes produced.
Pinot Noir accounts for nearly 40% of the plantings in Champagne and lies at the heart of most blends - it gives Champagne its body, structure, strength and grip. It is planted across Champagne and particularly so in the southern Aube district.
The final component is Pinot Meunier and this constitutes nearly 35% of the plantings. Its durability and resistance to spring frosts make the Marne Valley, a notorious frost pocket, its natural home. It ripens well in poor years and produces a soft, fruity style of wine that is ideal for blending with the more assertive flavours of Pinot Noir. Producers allege that Pinot Meunier lacks ageing potential, but this does not deter Krug from including around 15% of it in their final blends.
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Description
About to be released. A classic year with typical weather and 'perfect parameters' according to chef de cave Alice Tétienne. Dosage 5 g/l (Brut no longer appears on the front label). Disgorged November 2022.
Discreet nose, lovely tight-knit texture and lots of energy. Chiselled and not nearly at peak but with a really long and interesting aftertaste.
Drink 2023 - 2032
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (March 2023)
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