Henriet Bazin Champagne 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

Henriet Bazin Champagne 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is a finely etched grower Champagne crafted entirely from Chardonnay grown on pure chalk soils in the Montagne de Reims. Sourced from the estate’s Premier Cru parcels in Villers-Marmery, this cuvée captures the village’s rare combination of tension, elegance, and mineral depth in a style that is both precise and gastronomic. Extra Brut dosage lets the terroir take center stage, making this a superb choice for those who appreciate Champagne with real character and definition. A key distinction of this wine is its origin: Villers-Marmery is a Chardonnay enclave planted on a terroir traditionally dedicated to Pinot Noir, giving the wines a particularly vivid expression of chalky minerality and freshness. Henriet-Bazin vinifies this Blanc de Blancs as a tribute to those exceptional Chardonnay vines, drawing on generations of family know‑how in the Montagne de Reims. The result is a Champagne that reflects both a historic, family-run estate and one of Champagne’s most distinctive Premier Cru sites.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Henriet Bazin 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut shows a pale, luminous straw color with fine, persistent bubbles forming a delicate mousse. The visual impression is one of finesse and purity, perfectly in line with its Chardonnay origins. The nose is refined and focused, opening with notes of lemon zest, green apple, and white flowers, soon followed by hints of chalk dust, fresh brioche, and a subtle almond nuance. With a bit of air, more complex layers emerge—wet stone, a touch of pear, and a whisper of pastry cream—always framed by a clean, mineral edge. On the palate, this Champagne is taut and vibrant, with a linear, chalk-driven backbone. Crisp citrus and orchard fruit—think lemon, grapefruit, and crunchy apple—are wrapped around a core of saline minerality, giving the wine both energy and length. The Extra Brut dosage keeps the profile dry and incisive, while fine, creamy bubbles bring texture and elegance. The finish is long, mouthwatering, and delicately smoky-chalky, inviting another sip. Thanks to its Premier Cru fruit, careful élevage, and naturally high acidity, this Blanc de Blancs has excellent aging potential. Enjoy it now for its tension and precision, or cellar it for 3–7 years (and potentially longer) to develop more pronounced brioche, hazelnut, and honeyed nuances while retaining its mineral spine.

Production
The Chardonnay for this cuvée comes from Henriet-Bazin’s Premier Cru vineyards in Villers-Marmery, a unique sector of the Montagne de Reims where pure chalk subsoils and cool exposures yield particularly vibrant, mineral-driven wines. The chalk acts like a natural reservoir, regulating water and reflecting light, which helps the grapes ripen slowly while preserving acidity and aromatic finesse. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure whole, intact bunches and rigorous selection in the vineyard. In the cellar, the must is gently pressed to extract the purest juice, which is then vinified parcel by parcel to respect the nuances of each site. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vessels (often stainless steel, with possible partial oak for texture), followed by extended maturation on fine lees to build complexity and mouthfeel. After the second fermentation in bottle, the wine spends an extended period aging on its lees in the chalk cellars, enhancing its creamy mousse and autolytic notes, before being disgorged with a low Extra Brut dosage to preserve the wine’s natural tension and expression of terroir.

Food & Serving
This Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is an outstanding partner at the table, especially with dishes that highlight freshness and finesse. Classic pairings include oysters, scallop carpaccio, shrimp tartare, and simply prepared shellfish, where the wine’s saline, chalky cut mirrors the maritime flavors. It also shines with sushi and sashimi, citrus-dressed seafood salads, grilled fish, or delicate poultry dishes with light cream or lemon-based sauces. For cheese, try it with young goat cheese or a mildly aged Comté. Serve well-chilled but not icy—around 8–10°C (46–50°F)—to allow the aromatics and texture to express themselves. A white wine glass or tulip-shaped Champagne glass will showcase the bouquet better than a narrow flute. Decanting is not strictly necessary, but opening the bottle 10–15 minutes before serving, or letting the first glass sit in the glass a bit, will help the wine unfurl its more subtle chalk, brioche, and floral notes.

Producer
Henriet-Bazin is a family-owned grower-producer based in Villers-Marmery in the Montagne de Reims, a village renowned for its Chardonnay grown on soils historically regarded as prime Pinot Noir territory. The estate is the result of the union of two Champagne families, Henriet and Bazin, and today continues to work its own vineyards and bottle under its own name, ensuring a direct link between vineyard and glass. Known for its meticulous viticulture and strong commitment to expressing terroir, Henriet-Bazin focuses on Premier and Grand Cru sites, crafting Champagnes with clarity, precision, and a distinctive mineral signature. As an independent Récoltant-Manipulant (grower Champagne), the domaine plays an important role in showcasing the diversity of Champagne’s crus, especially the lesser-known but high-quality Chardonnay terroirs of the Montagne de Reims. Their wines frequently earn praise from critics and enthusiasts who seek characterful, site-driven Champagnes, helping to cement Henriet-Bazin’s reputation as one of the noteworthy grower estates in the region.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.