Henriot : Cuvée Hemera Brut 2006

A dazzling and unique Brut vintage by Henriot

The producer

Founded in 1808, the Henriot Champagne House has been growing Chardonnay grapes, from the Côte des Blancs, with passion, high and exacting standards for 8 generations. This noble grape variety will later become the defining style of each of the Henriot vintages.

Henriot champagne, greatly appreciated by the Dutch Court, would later become a leading brand among European aristocracy.

Henriot champagnes stand out due to their finesse, their exceptional elegance, their complexity and their radiant richness, thanks to a specific ageing period and a quantity of reserve wines for each cuvée.

The vineyard

Comprising a 35-hectare vineyard, the champagnes by the Henriot Champagne House are partly produced from the most beautiful Premiers and Grands Crus terroirs of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims.

The wine

One of Henriot’s most emblematic champagnes, Hemera Brut Vintage Champagne pays tribute to the Greek goddess, Hemera, that is the personification of day. A rare and exceptional champagne, Hemera is the perfect combination of a unique vintage and a blend of six Grands Crus.

The vintage

The year 2006 was marked by a dry winter followed by a cool spring and an early summer with high temperatures. Heavy rainfall in August soaked the chalky soils with water until the harvest, which was carried out under optimal weather conditions.

Harvested at full maturity with high sugar levels, the grapes boasted a very high quality and produced generous, expressive and clear first wines.

Vinification and ageing

The clear wines are kept for a minimum of one year in vats in order to preserve the great ageing potential and freshness of this exceptional cuvée.

After bottling, the champagne is aged for a minimum of 12 years on its lees before leaving the cellar.

The dosage for this Hemera cuvée is less than 5g of liqueur per litre.

The blend

The flagship of the Henriot House, Hemera is only produced during exceptional harvests. The purity of this cuvée is the result of a selection of the most beautiful plots of six Grands Crus (Mailly-Champagne, Verzy, Verzenay, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize and Chouilly).

The blend of this Hemera cuvée comprises an equal proportion of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Hermera Brut 2006 by Henriot: Characterisitcs and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The colour is yellow with bright golden highlights.

Nose

The primary expression of these exceptional terroirs, the nose is bright and expressive, revealing a rich and elegant aromatic palette. Delicate flavours of white flowers and lime blossom mingle with vanilla and lightly spicy notes.

Palate

Structured and mineral, the palate reflects the harmonious alliance between the precision of the Pinot Noir grapes and the freshness of the Chardonnay varietal. The palate is delicious and offers intense fruity aromas (ripe peach, nectarine, grapefruit) along with delicate pastry notes.

The low dosage enhances the aromatic purity of this rare cuvée with a unique ageing potential.

Food and wine pairing

Hemera Brut Vintage 2006 Champagne by the Henriot House will perfectly express its finesse and purity with exotic and spicy dishes as well as with meat served with a sauce, shellfish or game.

Poultry with a morel sauce, a tajine with sultanas and almonds, lobster with a chilli cream or scallops with truffles will magnify the singularity of this exceptional champagne.

Service

For an optimal tasting, the recommended serving temperature is 9-10°C

Cellaring

Enjoy now, this champagne Hemera Brut vintage 2006 can be kept in the cellar for 5 to 10 years in order to develop its full complexity.