Revered Champagne House Reveals the Most Beautiful Expression of a Single Cru
Through a Singular Year and Unique Grape Variety in a New Collection Called L’Inattendue (“The Unexpected” in French)
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 26, 2022 – The internationally renowned Maison Henriot, founded in 1808 by Apolline Henriot with the vision to tell the beauty of her vineyards, has announced the first release of their new collection, L’Inattendue (French for “the Unexpected”), that reflects one of Henriot’s prestigious Grand Cru vineyards in a single year. The first L’Inattendue (SRP $155), which will be available in limited quantities in the U.S. beginning in November, captures the beauty of the Grand Cru Chardonnay Avize in the Côte des Blancs and the 2016 vintage.
“L’Inattendue is the most beautiful tribute we can pay to our founder, Apolline Henriot, and her desire to cultivate the diversity of her terroirs, originally located on three crus,” says Gilles de Larouzière Henriot, eighth generation of the Henriot family (who with cellarmaster Alice Tétienne assessed that the wine was so unexpectedly exceptional that it deserved a single bottling). “We’re excited to share our newest creation inspired by Apolline’s vision, with the world.”
The year 2016 was defined by a complex weather pattern with mixed nuances. After a calm 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 18 for Maison Henriot, was spread out with a certain heterogeneity of maturation, resulting in L’Inattendue.
“This wine cannot leave one indifferent, the aromatic profile is precise and it’s a real statement,” says cellarmaster Alice Tétienne.
TASTING NOTES
($155 SRP; 100% Chardonnay and 100% Grand Cru; Avize in the Côte des Blancs; at least 4 years of aging; dosage at 4g/L; 810 bottles)
The aromatic profile is chiseled. Minerality and citrus fruit dominate. It is chalky, 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.
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About Maisons & Domaines Henriot America
Established in New York City in 2005 by the Henriot family, Maisons & Domaines Henriot America is an import company specializing in the distribution, sales and marketing of high-end wines produced by wineries which are references in their own region. Representing centuries of family winemaking expertise, the portfolio includes the Henriot family brands, as well as leading producers from Oregon Italy, and France: Champagne Henriot, William Fèvre (Chablis, Burgundy), Bouchard Père et Fils (Burgundy), Beaux Frères (Oregon, USA) and Tenuta di Ghizzano (Tuscany, Italy).
