Product Information:
Henriot Brut Souverain is the historic cuvée of Maison Henriot, first created by Apolline Henriot in 1808. She aimed to highlight the character of her lands through the creation of a great Champagne. Apolline believed that one year alone could not fully express the personality of the terroirs, so she decided to keep reserve wines each year to craft the final blend. As a result, Henriot Brut Souverain is a blend of different crus, each representing its vineyard through different stages of life.
Cellar master Alice Tétienne describes it as a "ballet of aromas": generous and mouth-watering notes of cake and fresh citrus fruits, complemented by smoky exuberance that evolves into pure chalk. A basket of stone fruits and red fruits adds further complexity, thanks to the diverse range of crus used. The palate mirrors these complexities with a rounded texture and a long, persistent freshness—truly outstanding.
Henriot Brut Souverain NV is a blend of approximately 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier, sourced from 29 different crus. This elegant Champagne combines the freshness from the 2018 harvest base—contributing 50 to 70% of the blend—with 30 to 50% carefully selected reserve wines. To enhance its complexity, Henriot Brut Souverain is aged for a minimum of three years, allowing the flavours to fully develop. With a dosage of less than 6 grams per litre, it strikes a perfect balance between richness and finesse.
Maker:
Maison Henriot, inspired by the vision of Apolline Henriot, has been crafting exceptional Champagnes since 1808. The Henriot family, originally cloth merchants, transitioned to wine producers in Reims in 1640, building a reputation for quality that has lasted for centuries. By 1850, Maison Henriot earned the prestigious title of official supplier to the Imperial and Royal Court of Austria, further solidifying its status.
Today, Champagne Henriot remains a distinguished, family-owned house, known for its focus on elegance, generosity, and distinction. The flagship wine, Brut Souverain, is a masterful blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a touch of Pinot Meunier for added complexity. Sourcing grapes from the Vallée de la Marne, Montagne de Reims, and Côte des Blancs, Maison Henriot produces a range of Champagne expressions, including their Blanc de Blancs and the premium Cuve 38. The house is also dedicated to sustainability through its Alliance Terroirs initiative, which promotes organic viticulture and environmentally conscious practices under the leadership of cellar master Alice Tétienne.
Philosophy:
The Champagne region’s terroirs are shaped by vineyard exposure, slopes, soil types, and cultivation practices, all of which contribute to the richness of its wines. Apolline Henriot’s founding vision was to celebrate the vineyard's beauty and potential. Over the generations, the Henriot family has honed their expertise in viticulture, carefully tending to their vines. The 2020 Alliance Terroirs project, led by Alice Tétienne, continues this legacy by focusing on sustainable viticulture practices and adapting to the challenges of climate change.
As part of the Alliance Terroirs initiative, Maison Henriot is transitioning to organic farming, using natural products and promoting biodiversity in the vineyard. According to Alice, protecting the vines and encouraging biodiversity are essential in responding to climate change. This approach not only enhances the vineyard's sustainability but also improves the working conditions for those who tend the vines, ensuring the continued production of exceptional Champagnes.
Nose - Crystalline Citrus Fruit, Buttery, Aniseed
This is fine and subtly toasty with some crystalline citrus fruit and pastry notes, as well as a touch of aniseed.
Palate - Stone fruits, Smoke, Fresh
On the palate, it is ample, straightforward, round with a long, persistent freshness.
Finish - Pastry Notes, Chalk, Complex
Really quite rich and broad but with a very dry finish
12% alcohol. This is with 2018 as its base, but contains a generous proportion (30-50%) of reserve wines. The blend is 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. This is fine and subtly toasty with some crystalline citrus fruit and pastry notes, as well as a touch of aniseed. There is a real sense of freshness and delicacy here with nice complexity and focus. - Wineanorak, 93/100
The house style is distinctive. Very nice and rounded thanks to up to seven years old reserve wines. Extremely constant over the years. - Richard Juhlin, The Richard Juhlin Champagne Club, 92 Points.
(2016 base) Blend of 29 crus. 48% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier. Base of 2016 with 38% reserve wines (less than usual because 2016 was such a rich year). Disgorged May 2022, dosage 5 g/l – reduced from 7–8 g/l and chef de cave Alice Tétienne reports that she will reduce it to 3.5 g/l for the next cuvée of Brut Souverain. Deep gold. Really quite rich and broad but with a very dry finish. Generous and rewarding. Very good for an NV blend. - Jancis Robinson, 16.5 Points (Distinguished/Superior)
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - Non Vintage
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12%
Closure - Cork
