Henri Giraud
Hommage au Pinot Noir
Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
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.
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.
The NV Hommage au Pinot Noir offers plenty of Henri Giraud character in a more approachable style than the top-tier wines in most years. Kirsch, plum, cinnamon, dried flowers and cedar give the Hommage its effusive character. It oozes with Pinot charm. This release is based on 2019 and includes 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 24, 2023. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2024)
The NV Hommage au Pinot Noir offers plenty of Henri Giraud character in a more approachable style than the top-tier wines in most years. Kirsch, plum, cinnamon, dried flowers and cedar give the Hommage its effusive character. It oozes with Pinot charm. This release is based on 2019 and includes 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 24, 2023. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2024)
Henri Giraud Hommage au Pinot Noir Champagne
Pale lemon color.
Aromas of buttered toast, lemon
Dry. Flavors of lemon, toast, some minerality. Bubbles are large and foamy.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Henri Giraud Hommage au Pinot Noir Champagne
Pale lemon color.
Aromas of buttered toast, lemon
Dry. Flavors of lemon, toast, some minerality. Bubbles are large and foamy.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
