Champagne Henri Giraud Hommage au Pinot Noir NV “The greatest champagne you've never heard of… This is the way I think Krug SHOULD taste.” – Robert Parker, Jr.

Rooted in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ, Henri Giraud is the oldest Champagne house still owned by its founding family – going all the way back to 1625! Today, the maison owns ten hectares, mostly planted on chalky limestone soils to pinot noir, with the addition of select grapes purchased from long-time grower partners on some 15 hectares. The sources are almost exclusively Grand Cru – lending a premier fruit pedigree to the house’s top cuvées. 

Without the use of stainless steel, and through minimal intervention and low sulfur approach, the team at Henri Giraud aims to reveal the truth of their terroir and chosen grape. In the case of this 100% pinot noir – I would say they achieved their aim rather successfully, to put it mildly. 

Look closely and you can see the wine’s texture, with a light golden hue hinting at the wine’s equally impressive richness.  The aromas and flavors are complex, spiced, and delightfully fruity –  cherries, apricots, red plums, ripe Bosc pear. The spices are delicate, punctuating the fruit core with clove and cardamom, star anise and struck flint. Slightly oxidative notes of dried cherries and umeboshi on the finish add a level of complexity, but all is admirably held fast through a chalky, river rock mineral vein, and a zippy and vibrant acidity. The finish goes on and on… this is power and grace, intensity and elegance at an extremely high level. 

Claude Giraud, standing as the 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family,  has run the estate since 1990. It was he that pursued the “0% Stainless Steel” route, choosing instead to look to history and build their own barrels from the Argonne Forest like their predecessors. Sebastien Le Golvet, the Cellar Master of the house, actually selects the oak every year, and leads the team in the toasting and barrel fastening. In addition to oak barrels, the house has begun more rigorous experimentation with alternative vessels like terracotta and sandstone to add further layers of nuance and depth. 

In a few short decades, the quality and reputation of the estate has risen dramatically. There is little doubt that we are witnessing the creation of a modern day titan of Champagne. I’ll end where I began – with the quote that has been repeated, rephrased, and re-emphasized by Robert Parker, Jr. countless times over the past several years… and a call to action… less than 10 cases are available!

 “The greatest champagne you've never heard of… This is the way I think Krug SHOULD taste.” – Robert Parker, Jr.