Henriet-Bazin NV Champagne Blanc de Noir, Grand Cru

The Domaine is located in the Village of Villers-Marmery on the Eastern side of the Montagne de Reims. In the vineyards of neighboring villages, Grand Crus Verzy and Verzenay (where the Henriet family also own plots) the chalk is deeper within the subsoil and exists as a mass or in large chunks rather than a crushed and accessible part of the topsoil. Still, the vines reach deep here and we are told that the North-Eastern exposure favors a profound extraction of the soil's mineral influence as the vines work harder to get the nutrients they need. The total holdings of Henriet-Bazin in the three villages amount to almost 15 acres in 37 separate parcels.

Marie-Noelle Henriet- Rainon is the 5th generation of Vigneron having succeeded her Dad, Daniel Henriet who is still a large presence and remains a great source of wisdom at the domain today. The primary fermentations are spontaneous and take place in the tank.

This Champagne is 100% Pinot Noir from vineyards in the Grand Cru Villages Verzy and Verzenay planted to soils of chalk, silt and alluvium. The blend is 70% of harvest 2015 and 30% reserve wines of a solera begun by Daniel Henriet in 1968. Each year wine is added from the recent harvest and wine is taken out to blend with the current vintage. The wine aged 3 years on the lies and this current release was disgorged on 9/30/2020 with a very low dosage. A true Grower Champagne.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 92 points saying "Parcels of Pinot Noir grown in northeast-facing vineyards on the Montagne de Reims give richness while also a structured cool character that brings out the wine's fruitiness and texture. This is a finely poised Champagne that is ready to drink."