April 27, 2024 - 52% Chardonnay, 48% PN
Terrible vintage. Like, don't people make fun of Moet and Roederer for releasing 2003 DP and Cristal? Somehow, Henriot managed to make a vintage Champagne that is not only delicious; but continues to drink well here in 2024.
Toasted almonds, malt, vanilla, baked golden apple, baked pear, butter, pie crust, dried apricots and orange on the nose. Speaking of the nose, it's firing on all cylinders right now, with a high intensity of aromas. The palate adds anise, over ripe yellow peach and brioche. Some bread flavors on the mid-palate; though never gets too bitter or too autolytic. Everything is in balance here. Finishes with limestone and crisp apples, with a 45 second length. Rounded, balanced and delicious.
Medium + body with medium - acid. At peak, drink now. It's not going to last that much longer. Great pairing with sauteed white seabass prepared in a Vietnamese fashion, as well as pickled vegetables.
October 9, 2023 - Le Tour de Champagne tasting (Amsterdam, NL): One of the highlights of the tasting, this 2003 Henriot. 7 years sur lie. Richness, firestone, great complexity. 93-94
October 9, 2023 - Le Tour de Champagne Tasting (Olofskapel, Amsterdam, NL): Trade tasting, brief note. Original disgorgement. Spicy, smoky, nutty depth, chocolate and coffee, effortless freshness on the finish, amazing energy and length for the vintage, keeps going on. Chapeau bas for quality and longevity!
January 5, 2023 - Vivid and surprisingly still in its youth upon opening. Took a bit of time to open up. Very briochy, some honey. An enjoyable champagne.
November 17, 2021 - Pleasantly surprised by this. Took an hour to fully open up. Sweet notes of honey and citrus. Balanced and elegant
June 16, 2018 - Champagne - 100 Vintage and NV Champagne; 12/15/2015-12/15/2020: During a walkabout/tasting dinner, so only brief impressions. Wow, I really liked this. Highly complex nose of brioche, flowers, minerals, wax, flowers, nuts. Kept coming back to this despite me not being a Champagne fan. 96+
September 28, 2017 - Quite rich, lush
July 16, 2015 - Fullish colour, rich but lively appearance; rich and bready nose, vinous, smoky honey, flowers, candied fruit, harmonious and deep; lovely balance on the palate, full and rich, ripe fruit, lowish but adequate acidity, gentle mousse, hint of nutty evolution, rich bitters; savoury finish, very good length. An excellent 2003, time to drink up. Purchased at Fortnum & Mason, enjoyed in the Alan Bennett room at The Draycott Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, UK.
August 10, 2014 - brioche, yeast, grapefuit and lime, nice crispy acidity instead of the hot year, tertiary aromas like green hazelnut, not much aging potential but good drinkable now
November 21, 2013 - Wide, flashy, toasty nose of meat juice, grean canned peas. Reminds me of a DP 2003.