Henriot Champagne Chardonnay Grand Cru L'Inattendue 2016 750ml

size

750ml

country

France

region

Champagne

6 Ratings

See 6 Professional Reviews

Rated 96 by Decanter

This is a stunningly fragrant, exotic and silky blanc de blancs that has only grown in stature since release, now firmly making its case for being the finest wine Henriot has made recently. Few 2016s display this degree of delicacy and length. Bright clementine and tropical fruit are framed in smoky, peppery, reductive energy, with orange blossom and sweet, charry lemon and hazelnut. The chalky, fluid and delicate palate ripples with gently insistent chalk and bittersweet citrus oil. Long and detailed. ... More details

Henriot Champagne Chardonnay Grand Cru L'Inattendue 2016 750ml

Rated 96 by Decanter

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast

A Champagne that came from a selection of wine that was regarded as so exceptional, so unexpected (as the name suggests) that it was bottled separately. It is an impressive wine, rich, now mature with a strong touch of toast. It is ready to drink. (Cellar Selection)

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

When Gilles de Larouzière took the reins chez Henriot and tasted the vins clairs of the 2016 vintage with his team, one cuvée from Avize stood out from the crowd enough that it seemed to merit a tirage of its own. The result is the 2016 Brut L'inattendue, disgorged after four years on the lees with four grams per liter dosage. It's a demonstrative, expressive Champagne, bursting with aromas of white peach, crisp orchard fruit and confit lemon mingled with subtle hints of buttery pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and attractively vinous palate, its fleshy core of fruit complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Already drinking well, it's testimony to the exciting things happening at this historic house.

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Lightly toasty on the nose, with grilled brioche, smoke and spice accents, this is fresh and citrusy on the plushly creamy palate. Reveals Meyer lemon, poached apricot, grated ginger and fresh lemon thyme enriched by chopped almond and biscuit. Long, well-honed finish. Chardonnay. Drink now through 2031. 200 cases imported.

Rated 93 by Vinous Media

The 2016 L'Inattendue (Chardonnay) is loaded with apricot, lemon confit, baked apple tart, sweet spice and light tropical accents. The more exuberant side of Chardonnay comes through loud and clear in an effusive, inviting Champagne that will be ready to give pleasure upon release. A touch of toastiness lingers on the close. This is very nicely done.

Rated 92 by James Suckling

This first single-vineyard bottling for Henriot has aromas of dried lemons, pears, chalk, sourdough, brown rice and blanched almonds. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and fine with creamy bubbles and bright acidity. More delicate and somewhat restrained. 4g/l. Disgorged March 2021. Drink or hold.

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Henriot Champagne Chardonnay Grand Cru L'Inattendue 2016 750ml

SKU 919084

Case Only Purchase

Long-term Pre-Arrival

$773.58

/case

$128.93

/750ml bottle

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Professional Ratings

Rated 96 by Decanter

Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast

Rated 94 by Wine Advocate

Rated 94 by Wine Spectator

Rated 93 by Vinous Media

Rated 92 by James Suckling

Product Details

size

750ml

country

France

region

Champagne

Overview

Varietal: Champagne Blend

The careful blending of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietal grapes has long been the secret to the success of the famous sparkling wines of the Champagne region. The wines of this region have gone down in history as the finest example of France's sparkling produce, and the methods of processing the grapes in this region have been imitated in almost every wine producing country in the world. There are actually seven different grape varietals allowed to be included in a Champagne sparkling wine, although grape varietals such as Pinot Blanc, Arbanne and Pinot Gris are used less and less commonly in its production. Whilst the Chardonnay varietal grapes offer their distinctive biscuit flavor and wonderful astringency, it is the Pinot Noir grapes (most commonly used for producing beautifully light red wines) which give the Champagne wines their length and backbone.

Region: Champagne

The beautiful rolling hillsides of the Champagne region of France have, for hundreds of years, been producing many of the world's most famous wines. The sparkling white wines to come out of Champagne's prestigious wineries have conquered the world, and are drank in celebration across the globe. The vast majority of the region is under vine, and grows predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varietals, which are usually blended together by master wine-makers in order to make their recognizable and widely loved produce. The north-easterly region of Champagne has a relatively cool climate, and quite a lot of rainfall, making it far from ideal for ripening grapes. However, the presence of heavily forested areas in the region helps maintain a balanced temperature, and the generations of expertise the wineries hold clearly produces excellent results in spite of the climatic problems.

Country: France

France is renowned across the globe for its quality wines and the careful expertise which goes into making them, but what is truly remarkable about this relatively small country is the vast range of wines it produces in such huge amounts each year. Not only are the finest red wines in the world said to come from the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but elsewhere in the country we find the Champagne region, and areas such as the Rhone Valley and the Loire, whose white wines consistently receive awards and accolades by the plenty. This range is a result of the great variety of climatic conditions and terrain found in France, coupled with generations of wine makers working within single appellations. Their knowledge of specific terroirs and grape varieties has, over time, perfected the production of wines within their region, and the end results continue to impress the world to this day.

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