Wine Last Sold on: February 10, 2013
Henri Abelé
Featured Wine:
Champagne Brut Traditional
| Varietal: | Chardonnay |
| Region: | France: Champagne |
| Availability: | Last Call |
| Avg. Price: | $31.99 |
| Wine Spies: | $24.99 |
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SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:
We only showcase wines that we love. While our emphasis is on quality first, every now and again we come across a real standout wine that rises above. When we do, we issue alerts like this one.
SUPER QPR ALERT:
At today’s special Wine Spies price, this wine delivers tremendous value - and a drinking experience that exceeds expectations, easily earning it this special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
Mission Codename: Oh, Henri!
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Acquire an exclusive, small production Champagne, from one of the regions oldest and most respected producers.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
Final Assessment
Today’s delightful Champagne comes to us from Henri Abelé, the third oldest Champagne house in Reims - and the fifth oldest in all of Champagne. Established by Théodore Van der Veken in 1757, Maison Henri Abelé a prestigious firm that has continued to innovate throughout its 250-year history, while staying true to its roots.
This wonderful sparkler is delicious and rich, delivering a great deal of flavor and character for a French Champagne. Very flexible, this is a bubbly that could be served all on its own, but we think that it would shine with the right food pairings.
Pair with Ceviche, a hard cheese platter, or fresh fruit with a lovely baked brie. Lemon meringue pie would also be quite a delightful pairing companion!
Tasting Profile
Medium Golden hues, from core to edge. A steady cascade of fine, slow-moving bubbles add sparkle to the wine.
Yeasty and rich, at first, with a lovely baked brie quality that leads to lovely fruit. Golden delicious apple melds with hazelnut and sweet apple pie aromas. Cream and bread dough follow at the end.
Refreshing and rich with Golden Delicious apple and lemon zest out in front. A fine mousse transports limestone, creamed honey and columbard grape to the far corners of the palate.
A very long finish with persistent fruit that slowly gives way to limestone minerals.
What the Winery Says
Each wine is the result of a careful selection among the best wines of Champagne.
To ensure the continuity of style, these selections are built on loyalty contracts unit the House with the most prestigious wine growers from Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims Grande. The main important characteristic of the Henri Abelé style is also the precision of the wine making process and the choice of wines blend to their full growth.
The new winery in the House and its large fleet of small barrels allow a good wine making process, soil by soil in the respect of the wine development.
It’s only when the wines arrive to their full growth that they are blend. Finally the wines mature, in the heart of the centuries-old cellars, on racks for a minimum of three years.
After the disgorgement required an additional rest time from three months to one year.
About the Winery
A know-how of more than 250 years
Relying on expertise going back several generations, and strongly marked by a history grounded in quality, passion and innovation, Henri Abelé is the third oldest Champagne house. Since 1757, through times thick and thin, the company’s approach has always been that of craftsmen and consummate masters of their art, priding themselves on a job well done according to the highest standards.
A strong attachment to Reims heritage
Attached to art and culture, our firm is instinctively turned into towards all that is beautiful and unique. This is reflected in our delicate, elegant cuvées. A Champagne for connoisseurs, appreciated by kings and European royalty, Henri Abelé is enjoyed at celebrations around the world.
Elegant and qualitative wines
Maison Henri Abelé has made a point of avoiding rapid expansion. Maintaining a reasonable size enhances control over grape quality, winemaking, and blending in keeping with a long and brilliant tradition.
