Henriot Blanc de Blancs NV, Champagne

Largely Côte des Blancs (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Chouilly, Vertus) and Montgueux, Trépail, Épernay and the Vitry region; 40% reserve wines; aged on lees 5 years; 10g/L dosage;

Understated elegance and backward purity make this the most refined Henriot Blanc de Blancs I can recall. A brilliant pale straw hue is testimony to the energy it retains even after more than five years. It’s a gentle style of yellow citrus, white stone fruits and granny smith apple, celebrating lees age in a soft, creamy texture, and almond, nougat and toasted brioche characters. Soft, fine chalk minerality and a balanced acid line are well integrated. Any lack of distinction in persistence or character it more than makes up for in gentle, caressing appeal and graceful refinement.

Light to medium straw colour. The bouquet is delectably complex and refined, with candlewax, straw, toast, creamy and freshly shelled nut aromas. The taste is rich and complex, profound and smooth, with an irresistible texture and refinement, coupled with intensity and tremendous persistence. It has tremendous focus. A really outstanding non-vintage blanc de blancs…“