Auguste II Romain Henin 2021

Lot presentation

Auguste II Romain Henin 2021

The wine

Romain Henin is one of Champagne’s most sought-after young winegrowers. This is Auguste II, a cuvée produced under his négociant label. The Chardonnay vines are planted on the gentle slopes of Vertus, in the commune of Blancs-Coteaux, south of Épernay. Here, the soils are composed of chalk, limestone and clay.
Vineyard work is carried out with great respect for the environment, with grass covers between the rows, fruit trees planted throughout the vineyard and no chemical products used. Romain Henin follows biodynamic principles, working in accordance with the lunar cycle and using plant-based preparations.
Following manual harvests, the wine is made with a low-intervention approach, without inputs or added sulfites. It is then matured on its lees in oak casks for many months. The result is an alluring wine with aromas of pear, apple, lemon and vanilla. The palate is underpinned by a mouth-watering freshness, combining tension with a fleshy texture.

Domaine Romain Hénin – formerly known as Domaine Pascal Hénin – is a family-run estate located in Aÿ, founded by the father of the current owner. After completing his two-year technical degree in viticulture and oenology in Avize, Romain gained his first experience at Maison Henri Giraud, where he worked for two years. He went on to join the seven-hectare family estate in 2013 as a proud fourth-generation winegrower. Alongside his parents’ holding – Domaine Pascal Hénin – he launched his own venture encompassing 1.2 hectares, guided by organic and biodynamic principles and a natural spirit. Since 2021, together with his brother Thomas, he has taken over the entire family estate, which is now certified biodynamic (Demeter) and run according to agroforestry practices.
The plots extend across Aÿ and Chouilly for the Grands Crus, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Dizy for the Premiers Crus, and further along the Marne Valley in Cerseuil and Troissy.
Grass cover is encouraged in the vineyard, fruit trees are integrated into the ecosystem, and chemical inputs are strictly avoided. Only copper and sulphur are permitted, supplemented by herbal and natural preparations. The lunar calendar is faithfully followed. Romain’s goal is to express the character of each terroir as faithfully as possible. In the winery, he favours a low-intervention approach, with no additives or added sulfites. The fruit is naturally hand-picked, and alcoholic fermentations occur naturally, followed by maturation on the lees in barriques. No sulfites are added at any stage.
Driven by a desire to craft unadorned Champagne that remain true to their terroir and to the spirit of each vintage, the winemaker produces Brut Nature, vintage Champagnes of great purity.
Only a few thousand bottles are made each year, and this small-scale production is far from meeting the demand.