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TOP TIPS FROM CHIEF WINEMAKER LAURENT FRESNET
“This Champagne bears the finesse and liveliness of spring. The mineral freshness of the finest chardonnay heightens the delicious accents of the very best pinot noir. Finally, the elegant patina of time transforms this cuvée into a rich Champagne blessed with magnificent expression.”
Wine Description
The Story
A definite jewel in the Henriot portfolio, its name is a tribute to the Greek Goddess of day and light, HEMERA. The fruit of a unique vintage, together with a blend of six iconic Grands Crus Champagnes, this Champagne epitomises Henriot’s luminous style.
Origin: 100% Grands Crus
Blend: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot noir
Ageing: Minimum aged for 12 years on the lees
Dosage: 5g/l
THE ART OF BLENDING
The quest for absolute harmony and the virtue of time. HEMERA Champagne is only made in exceptional years from an exclusive blend of Grands Crus chardonnay and pinot noir in equal measure, sourced from Henriot’s villages of choice in Champagne:
• Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, from Chouilly, Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger
• Pinot Noir from the north of the Montagne de Reims, from Mailly Champagne, Verzy and Verzenay
Given the quintessential character of these 6 prestigious vineyards, HEMERA 2005 reveals intense balance and freshness characteristic of the entire Henriot range.
Wine Information
A rude winter followed by a mild spring and a month of dry, cool and sunny weather during harvesting, created the perfect conditions to make wines of truly great quality.
The senses:
The perfect balance of luminous style; freshness and aromatic breadth in complete harmony. Yellow and gold-tinged in appearance. A constant stream of bubbles forms a lovely string of gossamer bubbles. Full-flavoured fruitiness, offering notes of apricot, stewed citrus fruits and pate de fruit, leads on the bouquet. Delicate roasted notes are peppered with a toasty and acacia honey-like quality. On the palate, pinot noir picks up the mantel, offering exquisite velvety structure, and masterful, delicate intensity. Delicate fruit flavours come to the fore, with notes of fresh and slightly candied citrus fruit. The aromatic intensity continues on the palate with subtle, honeyed, and delicately toasted notes, which bring rare value and presence to this Champagne. The resolutely low dosage plays its part in retaining and enhancing the natural beauty of its primary ingredients.
Service recommendation:
Best served at 9-10°C
Hemera 2005 is an exceptional Champagne with unique ageing potential. Can be enjoyed immediately as an aperitif or to celebrate something really special, or can also be kept for a further 5-10 years in the safety of a dark cellar to allow the Champagne to further flourish over time.
Vintage 2005
The 2005 vintage was a year of marked contrasts between seasons and regions. Following a fairly harsh winter, 2005 had a mild spring with relatively warm temperatures all year long. There was above average sunshine and a slight water deficit, as had been the case throughout the dry cycle of 2005/2004 and 2003. The heat and humidity in July produced larger grapes and bunches, rather unusually for the Champagne region, while the cooler weather in August, followed by a very sunny month of September, led to favourable ripening in spite of heavy parasite pressure. The harvest dates were “typical” of those of the decade: September 12th for Chardonnays and the following day for Pinots Noirs.
