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HENRIOT L'INATTENDUE 2016
Country: France, Champagne
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
A unique creation, created by the 8th generation of the Henriot family. L`inattendue (The Unexpected) is an illustration of one of the principles of savoir-faire carried out by the House since its foundation: the cultivation of diversity of the Champagne terroirs. This cuvée reveals a terroir through a singular year and a unique grape variety.
The year 2016 was defined by complex weather patterns with mixed nuances. After a calm and serene start to the year, the spring brought heavy rainfall. This abundance of rain persisted until the beginning of the summer, which then brought extreme drought. The harvest, which started on September 18th for Maison Henriot, was spread out with a certain heterogeneity of maturation.
On the winegrowing hillside of the Côte des Blancs, different chalk facies are visible, from the bottom of the hillside to a high limit. This chalk is covered, on the upper part, by hard clay and limestone from the Tertiary (65 to 25 million years ago). The Grand Cru of Avize is an integral part of the Côte des Blancs. It is revealed here through Henriot L’inattendue 2016 which perfectly reflects this geological profile. Historically, Chardonnay has been planted on this terroir, offering a perfect balance between soil, vine and climate.
“This cuvée cannot leave one indifferent. The aromatic profile is precise, fine, and chiseled. It’s a real statement. Minerality and citrus fruit dominate. Indeed, it is chalky, and ethereal and the fresh lemon expresses itself, accompanied by mentholated notes. In the mouth, it is a perfect coherence. This one is straight, tracing. Intensity and precision guide the taste perception.”
The year 2016 was defined by complex weather patterns with mixed nuances. After a calm and serene start to the year, the spring brought heavy rainfall. This abundance of rain persisted until the beginning of the summer, which then brought extreme drought. The harvest, which started on September 18th for Maison Henriot, was spread out with a certain heterogeneity of maturation.
On the winegrowing hillside of the Côte des Blancs, different chalk facies are visible, from the bottom of the hillside to a high limit. This chalk is covered, on the upper part, by hard clay and limestone from the Tertiary (65 to 25 million years ago). The Grand Cru of Avize is an integral part of the Côte des Blancs. It is revealed here through Henriot L’inattendue 2016 which perfectly reflects this geological profile. Historically, Chardonnay has been planted on this terroir, offering a perfect balance between soil, vine and climate.
“This cuvée cannot leave one indifferent. The aromatic profile is precise, fine, and chiseled. It’s a real statement. Minerality and citrus fruit dominate. Indeed, it is chalky, and ethereal and the fresh lemon expresses itself, accompanied by mentholated notes. In the mouth, it is a perfect coherence. This one is straight, tracing. Intensity and precision guide the taste perception.”
Alice Tétienne,
Cellar Master of Maison Henriot
Cellar Master of Maison Henriot
Product Id: 0270
For orders €100,00 and above we deliver free to your place
For orders below €100,00 delivery charge €10,00 within city limits
For orders below €100,00 delivery charge €10,00 within city limits
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the "Big Daddy" of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world. It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay`s spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvelous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
Burgundy is Chardonnay`s spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvelous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
