Henriot Champagne was officially founded in 1808 under Apolline Henriot. She was the niece of the very famous Abbé Godinot, an erudite man who contributed to improvements in viticulture and the making of the Champagne wine. Apolline, an enterprising woman of great character, sold her wines both in France and became a huge success with royalty and Champagne Henriot became the favourite firstly at the Dutch court, then in Austria and Hungary. She passed on her savoir-faire to her grandson, Ernest and there the Henriot family tradition was born. From generation to generation, the House of Henriot has devoted all its talent to creating the most superb wines from grapes carefully selected from the great terroirs on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.

The Brut Souverain is the most historical cuvée of the House as the first cuvée produced by Apolline Henriot in 1808. She aspired to put the light on her vineyards through the expression of a champagne. According to Apolline, one year was not enough to tell the story of the terroirs, so she decided to put wines in reserve each year to incorporate them into a future blend. Therefore, she founded the House by creating a Champagne that would have blending as its fundamental principle.

This cuvée was named Brut Souverain by Ernest Henriot, Apolline's grandson, when the House was appointed the official champagne supplier to the Courts of the King of Holland and of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary.

Weather: 2014 was characterised by mild temperatures and frequent rainfall.There was some frost in late March but thankfully it did not cause any significant damage.This was followed by a spell of hot weather which brought forward the vine’s vegetative cycle by 10 days. Full flowering began in June. Summer was a combination of dry, wet and cold spells.The year was marked by an unprecedented outbreak of disease, which endangered the fragile Pinot Noir skins. Harvest took place from 8th to 20th September.The Chardonnays combined notes of white blossom with citrus notes and their palate full and acidic.The Pinot Noirs had subtle, fresh aromas of tart white fruits and scattered notes of red fruits.They showed a vivid and fresh structure on the palate.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | From more than 25 Crus including Mesnil sur Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont, Sillery, Mailly Champagne.
Grape Varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Meunier
Reserve Wines: 40% - 50% Including their perpetual reserve
Base vintage: 2014
Disgorged: 2019
Lees Ageing: 4 years
Dosage: 8 g/l
Drink: Now for 8+ years

Tasting Note: Straw-gold, bright and clear in appearance. On the nose, the Champagne offers magnificent, vivacious character. Citrus fruit aromas are followed by a cavalcade of floral bouquets, elderberry and vine blossom. Delicious brioche notes and the simplicity of lightly toasted bread and roasted almonds. Well balanced and harmonious on the palate, summoning flavours of brioche, together with crunchy cherries and the sun-kissed blush of white peach. Clean on the finish, with all the freshness of just-picked walnuts.