Henriot’s L’Inattendue is a captivating Blanc de Blancs from the grand cru vineyards of Chouilly, showcasing the house’s signature finesse with a fresh, vibrant edge. The 2018 vintage bursts with bright orchard fruits like peach and pear, layered with hints of lemon, menthol, and delicate smokiness. Its medium to full body is balanced by a lively mousse and a long, mineral-driven finish, making it both elegant and approachable. With fine bubbles and a touch of biscuit and almond nougat, this champagne offers a great balance between youthful energy and refined complexity—ready to enjoy now but with plenty of potential to develop in the bottle.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93+
Published: Oct 24, 2024
Drink: 2024-2034

The second iteration of this new cuvée from Henriot maintains the demonstrative and expressive style that is characteristic of this new cuvée. The 2018 Brut L'inattendue evokes aromas of peach, ripe orchard fruits and lemon intertwined with menthol notes and slightly smoky hints. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and elegantly structured, it’s perfectly balanced with a vinous mid-palate and a long, mouthwatering and mineral finish. This is one of the most exciting cuvées from this house, which recently changed hands.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 93
Published: May 20, 2024

Sliced pears, apples and chalk on the nose, with biscuits and chopped nuts. Fresh and clear-cut yet compact on the palate, with a medium body and very fine bubbles. Underlying minerality throughout. Dry. Chardonnay. 2g/L dosage. Drink or hold.

Decanter | D 91
Published: Sep 1, 2024
Drink: 2025-2028

After the superb 2016, sourced from Avize, Henriot turns its attention to the grand cru of Chouilly for 2018's limited-release blanc de blancs. The result is a wine that embodies both the sunny heat of the vintage and the ebullience of the village. With a lively, almost jumpy mousse and bright, chewy grapefruit-peel energy, this is immediate and pretty, with aromas of jasmine, fresh apricot and a touch of creamy almond nougat. It could do with a year on cork for the texture to settle, although the wine itself is for fairly early drinking.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Mar 18, 2022
Drink: 2022-2042

Very heavy bottle! Intense, glamorous nose with real density and pizzazz. Sweet end. Neat and convincing first-growth quality. 

Champagne-henriot.com

Created by the 8th generation of the Henriot family, represented by Gilles de Larouziere Henriot, L'inattendue (The Unexpected) is an illustration of one of the principles of savoir-faire carried out by the House since its foundation: the cultivation of diversity of the Champagne terroirs. This cuvee reveals a terroir through a singular year and a unique grape variety.