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Henri Giraud Champagne Ay Grand Cru Fut de Chene MV15
(Champagne, France) - [JS 97] [WA 96] [DM 95]
Regular price $300.00 Sale price $199.99 Save $100.01
The origins of Champagne Henri Giraud go back to 1625. Contemporary of Henri IV and his descendants, the Hémart family settled permanently in Aÿ at the beginning of the 17th century. Its history rooted in Aÿ, terroir of exception, and intimately mixed with the extraordinary epic of champagne from the 18th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, Léon Giraud, cuirassier of the Marne Battle, married a young lady Hémart. He rebuilt the magnificent vineyard of the family that had just been devastated by phylloxera and First World War. Claude Giraud, 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family, today presides over the destiny of this Champagne House. Claude Giraud has returned since 1990 to history and rebuilt the first oak barrels from the Argonne Forest.The famous oaks of this historic forest have for more than ten centuries raised the great wines of Champagne. “Argonne” is today the name of the house’s iconic cuvee. Each year, Sebastien Le Golvet, the Cellar Master of the house, mobilizes his merrandiers and coopers. Together, they select the most beautiful oaks of the Argonne forest, Sebastien then leads himself the toasting. This delicate work will be the last precious touch of the grande cuvees. With its unique expertise in the vinification of great Champagne cuvees in new oak barrels, the Henri Giraud House is now working on new winemaking in small containers, either of terracotta or ovoid sandstone to optimize the exchange between the wine and its lees.The saltiness, intensity and aromatic complexity of Champagne Henri Giraud make it one of the jewels of Excellence in this region. With only 250,000 bottles of which only a few thousand bottles for its grande cuvees, these champagnes are sought-after by collectors and lovers of great wines from around the world.
95 Points - Decanter:
Simon Field MW: Modern oaky nose; hints of coconut and spruce; graphite and flintstone; behind that verbena, petits fruits rouges and a pleasing integration, tightly wound yet generous at the same time; a pleasing forum of inherent contradiction. Tim Hall: Tempting perfumes and spice of oak treatment on the nose; there's meat and savour, puckering salivation and real drive. A champagne of real individuality and distinction. Anne Krebiehl MW: The richness of roasted hazelnut, coconut, spruce and vanilla clothe the entire nose in smooth richness. The palate has that same, rounded, oaky sheen, with pleasantly integrated notes of graphite and flint and behind that verbena and petits fruits rouges. Mellow and rich but underneath the freshness and power are undeniable. A champagne, with great drive, of real individuality and distinction with great drive.
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points - James Suckling:
An edgy, lively Champagne with bread dough, dried apples and apricots. Toffee with caramel with a lifted sense. Light oxidation with some nuts and saltiness. Full-bodied and very layered with so much going on. Creme brulee, pie crust and zingy acidity. Minty and lively. Strawberries and oranges coming through. This is 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay, all fermented in wood, 60% new. Drink now.
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
Disgorged in March 2020, Giraud's newly released NV Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Fût de Chêne MV15 is terrific, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, orange oil and peach mingled with nuances of warm pastry, toasted almonds, beeswax and clear honey that's already very nicely integrated. Full-bodied, textural and concentrated, this is a deep and muscular Champagne, with striking structure and vinosity, underpinned by lively acids and complemented by a pinpoint mousse.
An edgy, lively Champagne with bread dough, dried apples and apricots. Toffee with caramel with a lifted sense. Light oxidation with some nuts and saltiness. Full-bodied and very layered with so much going on. Creme brulee, pie crust and zingy acidity. Minty and lively. Strawberries and oranges coming through. This is 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay, all fermented in wood, 60% new. Drink now.
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
Disgorged in March 2020, Giraud's newly released NV Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Fût de Chêne MV15 is terrific, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, orange oil and peach mingled with nuances of warm pastry, toasted almonds, beeswax and clear honey that's already very nicely integrated. Full-bodied, textural and concentrated, this is a deep and muscular Champagne, with striking structure and vinosity, underpinned by lively acids and complemented by a pinpoint mousse.
95 Points - Decanter:
Simon Field MW: Modern oaky nose; hints of coconut and spruce; graphite and flintstone; behind that verbena, petits fruits rouges and a pleasing integration, tightly wound yet generous at the same time; a pleasing forum of inherent contradiction. Tim Hall: Tempting perfumes and spice of oak treatment on the nose; there's meat and savour, puckering salivation and real drive. A champagne of real individuality and distinction. Anne Krebiehl MW: The richness of roasted hazelnut, coconut, spruce and vanilla clothe the entire nose in smooth richness. The palate has that same, rounded, oaky sheen, with pleasantly integrated notes of graphite and flint and behind that verbena and petits fruits rouges. Mellow and rich but underneath the freshness and power are undeniable. A champagne, with great drive, of real individuality and distinction with great drive.