“The finest Champagne house virtually no one has ever heard of”
– Robert Parker

Henri GiraudGiraud-Hmart 1625A
A17(Grand Cru)
Henri GiraudKrugArgonne
Esprit Nature Brut50%50% 2

AOC Champagne

:

80% Pinot Noir20% Chardonnay

(Robert Parker’s rating: 92 points)
201750%20201NV Brut Esprit Nature

(James Suckling’s rating: 95 points)
Henri GiraudDNA80%Pinot Noir20%Chardonnay

Henri Giraud is the oldest Champagne house. It has been owned by thethe Giraud-Hmart familywho have farmed vines in A since 1625.

All the estate vineyards are located in A,is one of the rare 17 villages to be classified asGrand Cruin the Champagne region.
Use of oak is a feature of Henri Giraud.Itis one of the few houses that conduct primary fermentations in oak (Krug is another example). The oak barrels are locally sourced from the high quality, tight-grained trees of Argonne forest, whichresults in Champagne of unique personality, minerality and energy.
Esprit Nature Brut is made with 50% wines of the year and 50% perpetual reserve wines. Fermented in barrels, and aged for a minimum of 2 years on lees.
Its emblem, the paper oak, tells the story of the fragility of life and the capacity of Man to reinvent it. No pesticides and minimalsulphuris used during winemaking.

Appellation:
AOCChampagne

Type:
Champagne

Grape Varieties:
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker’s rating: 92 points)
Based on the 2017 vintage (complemented with some 50% from the house’s perpetual reserve) and disgorged in January 2020, the latest rendition of the NV Brut Esprit Nature is showing very well, mingling aromas of yellow orchard fruit and peach with nuances of toasted bread, candied peel, white flowers, clear honey and fresh almonds. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it’s elegantly vinous, with lively acids and a long, delicately oak-inflected finish.

(James Suckling’s rating: 95 points)
A juicy and flavorful Champagne with phenolics and a brightness and energy. Full with lots of flavors like sliced pineapple, dried peach and stone, yet it is fresh and vibrant. New label and bottle. Henri Giraud DNA in this. About 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay. Drink now.