On a fine pre-summers day in June TheChampagneSommelier was invited to Les Aulnois – the petit château belonging to Champagne Henriot – to taste 1964 & 1954 [read the full story]
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Henriot Mémoires
Later, everything is in the hands of the winemakers who expectantly and eagerly wander between the fermenter and see what happens. What will 2023 be like? Is it a legendary vintage on a par with the big ’02, or the warmer ’03, ’79 or even the ’61? Anyone who has patience will soon know. I head to Mutigny & my night camp at the new & stylish Loisium Hôtel & Spa to meet the ambitious team at the Henriot House for my meeting with the skilled winemaker Alice Tétienne.
I have been invited again with some influential Champagne critics to celebrate HENRIOT MEMORIES with the cellar master Alice Tétienne & Richard Moreau (CEO of Champagne Henriot). On the evening of the 7th of June we met up at the humble but stylish estate of ‘Les Aulnois’ in Pierry. I just love how the people of in Champagne has that special touch how to blend historical buildings & put a certain modern touch to it.
Together with Champagne colleagues we were up for a truely magical day. We took a historical walk through history in the eyes of Henriots wine makers.
« The Henriot Mémoires embodies specific years, expressed through the Cuvées des Enchanteleurs, illustration of the 6 founding crus of the House, and the Millésimes, expression of the singular character of a year. It’s the tasting, and the emotion that emanates from it, that guides the choice of selection. »
Alice Tétienne
Cellar Master of Maison Henriot
Alice Tétienne’s tastings have led her to present 7 exceptional creations in 2023 through the Henriot Mémoires collection:
- HENRIOT MILLÉSIME 1954 in magnum
- HENRIOT MILLÉSIME 1959 in magnum
- HENRIOT CUVÉE DES ENCHANTELEURS 1964
- HENRIOT CUVÉE DES ENCHANTELEURS 1977 in magnum
- HENRIOT CUVÉE DES ECHANTELEURS 1978 in magnum
- HENRIOT CUVÉE DES ENCHANTELEURS 1979
LÉS CHAMPAGNES – THE PRE TASTING
We started the session with a visit in teh vineyards of Mutigny with an explanation & presentation of the new concept Alliance Henriot [read the full Champagne story here] tasting of 5 base wines from the surroundings.
TASTING IN THE PRESS HOUSE
mv Henriot ’Brut Souvrain’ [base’17] magnum
TASTING NOTE ‘It was great to avoid Pinot Meunier in a large company’s non-vintage champagne. Since ten years the Meunier is unfortunately included. Still the aroma is classically bready and serious. The large proportion of Chardonnay is dominating the delicate, light taste. The house style is distinctive. Very nice and rounded thanks to up to seven years old reserve wines. Extremely constant over the years with a peak at 15-20 years of age.’
TheChampagneSommelier – 90p
