Champagne Henriot Brut Millésimé 2008

Packed with fruit while hinting at mature toastiness, this wine is now in perfect balance. Its white fruits are from half-and-half Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, shot through with acidity while having a ripe character. Rich while also crisp, it is ready to drink. - Roger Voss

Mineral and sleek with notes of lemon zest, white grapefruit, apricot stones, white pepper and hints of jasmine tea, opening up to praline and almond pastries. It’s medium-bodied, with beautiful balance and freshness. Very fine bubbles. Saline and intense finish. Drink or hold.

Henriot's 2008 Brut Millésimé spent eight years sur lattes before disgorgement with six grams per liter dosage and is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The wine displays a gently reductive nose with notes of citrus and stone fruit mingling with suggestions of freshly baked bread, oyster shell and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a voluminous but notably fine mousse, bright acids and an elegantly chalky finish that's delicate but penetrating. This is a comparatively supple, open-knit example of the taut 2008 vintage, but I suspect it will gain appreciably with bottle age.

La définition fait apparaître des notes de mie pain de grillé et fruits sec. La réduction impose un style qui manque un peu de complexité. Il faut noter aussi que c'est un vin qui, derrière la réduction, montre des signes d'évolution prématurée. Le vin manque de tranchant et d'énergie pour le millésime 2008. Quelques amertumes de fin bouche écourtent la finale.