Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 70% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and rest Meunier, pale lemon color, light creamy mousse, tiny bubbles, with aromas of stone and citrus fruits, underlying toasty notes, dosage is 9g per liter. On the palate flavors of apple and peach with citrus zest, honeysuckle and chalky nuttiness. Lively acidity with good balance, long finish ending with fruit, biscuit and chalky notes. — 7 days ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

Just super and in the zone. — 5 months ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.0

combination of the richness that is typical of Ambonnay married to deep, expressive varietal Chardonnay fruit. Smoke, ash, and crushed rocks. Energetic, vibrant finish — 8 months ago

with Katie

Shay A

9.3

I’ve enjoyed Henri Giraud’s champagnes for a while, and was able to visit last Nov. This ratafia champenois was quite fun and worthy of a few bottles being brought home. From a solera of 1990-2016 vintages.

Followed over a few months (love that the wine comes with its own dedicated stopper to help preserve).

First whiff reminds me of some Cognacs I’ve had with a combo of sweet concentrated fruit (raisins) and heat, before showing a honeyed profile. There’s no nutty Sauternes like profile, but the palate is texturally similar without being cloying. Orange marmalade and golden raspberries dominate the flavors. Little bright herbal-flair, but this still shows some Cognac type flavors without the ABV punch. The oxidation is balanced and not detracting. Really enjoyable. — a month ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.2

Lemon peel, white pepper, mint and crushed rocks abound. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The Henri Giraud “Hommage au Pinot Noir” is a love note of sorts to, you guessed it, Pinot Noir. And true to the house style, this Blanc de Noirs from Aÿ sees no stainless steel in the process. Instead, this wine is aged on its lees for 54 months in a combination of small oak barrels and amphora before resting in the bottle. The results are quite remarkable.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a few hours. In the glass, the wine has a very pretty straw color with medium viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with a combination of intriguing autolytic and oxidative notes on the initial pour. Over time, the wine seems to brighten up and reveals a lovely mix of white peach, strawberry, raspberry, lemon curd, lightly toasted brioche and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich, creamy and hugely satisfying. Dare I say this is Krug-esque? Compelling stuff. Drink now. No disgorgement data. — 10 months ago

Mike Evans

9.0

A little natty funk, it didn’t really resonate with me. — a month ago

Mike Evans

9.2

Nutty oxidation but not overwhelmingly so, with good acidity, probably past peak but not too far over. — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

NV Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier | yeast in smell, true to type taste | Sunday morning breakfast bubble, happy — 8 months ago

Kyle Bloudoff-Indelicato

9.5

Caramel, lush body, delightful — 10 months ago