Vinous (97)

The MV 16 is bright, fresh and airy and yet has the natural richness of Aÿ that Giraud fans have come to expect. Apricot, tangerine oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, chamomile and dried flowers all meld together in a creamy, ample Champagne that hits all the right notes. A Champagne of towering presence, the MV 16 is classy, understated and undeniably alluring. It is also one of the most impressive Champagnes I have ever tasted from Claude Giraud. Even in the early going, the 70% new oak is so well-integrated. This set of new releases is full of highlights, but the MV 16 is especially fine. Don't miss it! Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: December 11, 2020.

Matthew Jukes (19)

Made from 100% Grand Cru Aÿ fruit – 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay – with 66% coming from the 2017 vintage. The balance is taken from a perpetual reserve that dates back to 1990. It sees a huge amount of oak, and this forest of staves forms the backdrop to this extraordinary performance. Deep gold in colour, there is a staggeringly full nose of brioche and panettone over an orange zest palate, and toasted almond notes come at you from all angles. The finish is thrillingly long with amazingly bold oak-smoke details. There is an air of luxury here that verges on the gastronomic as opposed to the vinous, and I swear I can detect notes of foie gras and roast chicken jus! I left a small amount of wine in the bottle with a stopper and tasted it a week later – it was incredible. Still sparkling, densely perfumed, hugely impactful and massively rich. If you love the wines of Salon, Selosse, Krug, Egly and other mighty Houses, then you will adore the intense fanfare of flavours that accompanies a bottle of Henri Giraud Champagne.

The Wine Independent (97)

Henri Giraud’s MV18 has a seductive nose with rich, gently oxidative aromas of spiced baked apples, peach cobbler, kumquats, almonds and spun honey. Medium to full-bodied and centered on precise, textured fruit concentration, it has a generous, mouthwatering palate trussed with fine threads of sizzling acidity and pure mineral freshness. It finishes long and elegantly. This opulent, barrel fermented style of champagne draws on a dearth of perpetual reserve wines to bring depth, power and finesse to the glass.

Vinous (93)

The NV Blanc de Craie, 100% Chardonnay from vineyards in Aÿ and Louvois, is bright and finely sculpted, with terrific aromatic intensity, tons of nuance and all the vibrancy from the chalk-rich soils that give this cuvée its name. Citrus peel, white flowers, white pepper, mint and anise lead into the vivid, persistent finish. The Blanc is done entirely in oak, but it is neutral, so there is virtually no oak imprint at all in the flavors, only in the textural feel. One of the unique aspects of the Blanc de Craie is that the base vintage (2017 in this case) accounts for only 30% of the blend. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 3, 2019. (Originally published in May 2021)

Vinous (93)

The NV Rosé Rose Dame-Jane is light and airy in the glass. Crushed flowers, sweet crushed berries, white pepper and mint are all beautifully lifted. Translucent and gracious, the Dame-Jane is quite a departure for a house that was previously known for rich, opulent Champagnes. The Dame-Jane is done with an "Oeil de Perdrix" base in which Pinot is given a short time on the skins for added color and structure. Right before bottling, touches of Chardonnay and still Pinot are added to fine-tune the blend. The Dame-Jane is aged entirely in sandstone terracotta, an approach that works beautifully. This release is based on 2017, with 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 21, 2019. (Originally published in May 2021)

Vinous (92)

The NV Esprit Nature is a fabulous introduction to this range. Creamy, open-knit and so expressive, the Esprit Nature captures all of the textural intensity that is such a Giraud signature, but in an approachable style. The Esprit Nature is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay done mostly in oak, with a bit of sandstone amphora. This release is based on 2017, 50% reserve wines. Readers should note that the "Nature" is used here as part of the wine name, rather than an indication of dosage, which is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 21, 2020.

James Suckling (96)

A vinous Champagne with so much depth and soft power. Hazelnuts, apricots, peach pits, lemons, pomelos and seashells. Round, creamy bubbles. Complex, but with wonderful drinkability. Converges with precision at the end. Very deep. 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay. Blend of 2 solera systems of perpetual reserve, started in 1990. Drink or hold.

Vinous (91)

The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is a beautifully balanced, harmonious wine. There is just enough roundness and generosity to balance the focus of the Chardonnay in this accessible, harmonious Champagne. Hints of butter, smoke and spices wrap around the generous finish. This is Lot L1107221010. Disgorged October 2010.

Vinous (90)

(60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay; 8 g/l dosage; L1234411212): Light gold. Lees-accented orchard and citrus fruit aromas are complicated by sweet butter, iodine and smoky minerals. Dry and expansive on the palate, offering lively pear and melon flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of orange pith. Ample but lithe brut, with very good finishing punch and repeating smoke and pear qualities.

Vinous (90)

(60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay; 8 g/l dosage; L1234411212): Light gold. Lees-accented orchard and citrus fruit aromas are complicated by sweet butter, iodine and smoky minerals. Dry and expansive on the palate, offering lively pear and melon flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of orange pith. Ample but lithe brut, with very good finishing punch and repeating smoke and pear qualities.

Vinous (96)

The Non-Vintage Cuve 38 from Henriot is another exceptionally rare champagne. Released only in magnum, it was tricky trying to check the disgorgement date, but the cork was branded “0616” inferring June 2016. This réserve perpetuelle, which is to say that it is constantly topped up like a solera, comes from fruit originating from Avize, Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, Oger and Chouilly. It is named, perhaps a tad unimaginatively, after the tank in which it ages and limited to 1,000 magnums. Very fresh and energetic on the nose, there are hints of citrus lemon and petrichor - vibrant and penetrating. The palate is likewise surfeit with energy and tension, perfect acidity with a very harmonious and slightly minty, spicy finish. Surprisingly youthful, you would not guess that it is a blend of mature reserves.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite character of Hure Freres Invitation Brut NV, an exquisite Champagne from a family-owned maison in the northern part of France. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes, it undergoes malolactic fermentation for complexity, and a minimum of 24 months of ageing on the lees to bring depth and texture.

This alluring Champagne hails from the distinguished Hure Freres, a prestigious house with over two centuries of winemaking heritage. Skilfully crafted in the Montagne de Reims region, it showcases the true embodiment of its terroir, offering a magnificent balance between mineral-driven vigour and a plush fruit core.

Hure Freres Invitation Brut NV captures the attention with its golden hue and persistent mousse, revealing aromas of ripe orchard fruit and hints of brioche. On the palate, it is harmonious, full-bodied, and mature, with a cleansing acidity that makes it perfect for any celebration.

The Hure Freres Memoire Extra Brut NV is a sophisticated combination of elegance and complexity. Crafted from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, this blend is a distinguished product of 30-year-old vines located in the prestigious Champagne region of France. The house has been producing fine wines since 1960, and their expertise is wonderfully highlighted in this best-selling spirit.

The Hure Freres Memoire Extra Brut NV undergoes dual fermentation, first in enamel-coated and stainless steel vats, and then aged on lees for over seven years, resulting in a matured effervescence that teases the palate. You'll appreciate its golden hue, the result of a carefully controlled malolactic fermentation. The cascade of fine bubbles, impressive minerality, and an elegant finish pay tribute to the meticulous traditional methods of the Hure Frères winery.

As a testament to its superb craftsmanship, this wine perfectly encapsulates the Hure Freres Memoire Extra Brut NV's passion for producing exquisite wines that captivate connoisseurs and collectors alike.

Wine Advocate (94)

A blend of the 2013 and 2012 vintages that was disgorged in March, the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs La Colline Inspiré opens in the glass with aromas of almond paste, citrus oil, crisp green apple and pastry cream, gently framed by its élevage in barrel. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, vinous and concentrated, with an immensely incisive spine of ripe but bracing acidity, a fine mousse and a long, electric and searingly saline finish. This bottling is produced from several parcels in Montgueux, and all the vins clairs are now fermented and matured in barrel.

Wine Advocate (94)

Based on the excellent 2019 vintage, and derived from the lower part of the parcel in front of Lassaigne's winery, planted between 1964 and 1968, the newly released NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Cotet wafts from the glass with aromas of toasted nuts, crisp stone fruit, citrus oil and youthful reduction. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, with tangy acids and a long, saline finish, its reductive profile means that it really rewards some time in the glass.

Decanter (93)

The nose of this blanc de blancs is appealingly ripe but not overly so, with a pleasant balance of apple, lemon peel and apricot touched with a gentle note of autolysis. The texture of the mousse is creamy, and the feel is supple and silky without any heaviness. The base wines are one-third each from 2017, 2018 and 2019. Grapes are blended from sources throughout the village and aged on the lees in tank and barrel for more than a year before tirage. Delicious.

Highly recommended by William Kelley and recognised as one of the region's most enigmatic and experimental winemakers, today we have the pleasure to offer his multi-vintage blend, Réseve Extra Brut. This is Manu's expression of the quintessential joie-de-vivre of Champagne, and the current release is based predominantly on 2012 with reserve wines from 2010 up to 2014.

 

This is a pure Chardonnay oozing tremendous class. Sourced from exquisite plots across Montgueux, these vineyards are cultivated organically with the harvest took place at perfect maturity. All cuvées, including the rare Réserve Extra Brut, are disgorged without dosage.

James Suckling (97)

Selosse has delivered maximum impact with this 'Version Originale', which is an assemblage of Avize, Cramant and Oger. it has an intense grapefruit nose with hints of grilled nuts and dried honey as well as dried wild flowers and strong chalky minerals. The flavors are concentrated, the acidity vibrant, and Selosse has layered this to build nicely through lemons, grapefruit and peaches before heading to more savory toasted hazelnuts. The final moment shows mineral spark. Complex and balanced, powerful and compelling. Drink now.

James Suckling (97)

Selosse has delivered maximum impact with this 'Version Originale', which is an assemblage of Avize, Cramant and Oger. it has an intense grapefruit nose with hints of grilled nuts and dried honey as well as dried wild flowers and strong chalky minerals. The flavors are concentrated, the acidity vibrant, and Selosse has layered this to build nicely through lemons, grapefruit and peaches before heading to more savory toasted hazelnuts. The final moment shows mineral spark. Complex and balanced, powerful and compelling. Drink now.

Vinous (96)

Kirsch, blood orange, dried autumn leaves, mint and Mirabelle plum give the NV Extra-Brut Mareuil-sur-Aÿ Sous Le Mont (2013) a wild, exotic bouquet that is immensely alluring. The Mareuil is always a bit unruly, but over the last few releases it has gained just a bit more finesse than in the past. This is such a great expression of Pinot Noir. Disgorged: February 25, 2020.

Vinous (96)

Kirsch, blood orange, dried autumn leaves, mint and Mirabelle plum give the NV Extra-Brut Mareuil-sur-Aÿ Sous Le Mont (2013) a wild, exotic bouquet that is immensely alluring. The Mareuil is always a bit unruly, but over the last few releases it has gained just a bit more finesse than in the past. This is such a great expression of Pinot Noir. Disgorged: February 25, 2020.

Vinous (96)

Kirsch, blood orange, dried autumn leaves, mint and Mirabelle plum give the NV Extra-Brut Mareuil-sur-Aÿ Sous Le Mont (2013) a wild, exotic bouquet that is immensely alluring. The Mareuil is always a bit unruly, but over the last few releases it has gained just a bit more finesse than in the past. This is such a great expression of Pinot Noir. Disgorged: February 25, 2020.

James Suckling (97)

Very pronounced and wonderfully complex nose of persimmon, egg yolk, cinnamon, tarte tatin, caramel, mango pastry, apricot tart and spice box. The full-bodied palate feathers a fine line between sheer power, luscious dried fruit and laser-guided acidity. Very long and intense on the finish. Drink now or hold. Disgorged 13 November 2018.

James Suckling (97)

Very pronounced and wonderfully complex nose of persimmon, egg yolk, cinnamon, tarte tatin, caramel, mango pastry, apricot tart and spice box. The full-bodied palate feathers a fine line between sheer power, luscious dried fruit and laser-guided acidity. Very long and intense on the finish. Drink now or hold. Disgorged 13 November 2018.

Vinous (98)

The NV Extra-Brut Ambonnay Le Bout du Clos (2014) is the most complex of the four lieu-dits I was able to taste. It marries power, freshness and energy. It's all there, from the delineated aromatics, to the sculpted fruit, to the underlying veins of salinity that give the wine its shape. I especially admire the freshness and translucence here. Readers who can find the Ambonnay should not hesitate, as it is truly riveting. The Bout du Clos is the only lieu-dit in the collection that is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a blend that works so brilliantly here. Disgorged: February 2, 2021

Vinous (98)

The NV Extra-Brut Ambonnay Le Bout du Clos (2014) is the most complex of the four lieu-dits I was able to taste. It marries power, freshness and energy. It's all there, from the delineated aromatics, to the sculpted fruit, to the underlying veins of salinity that give the wine its shape. I especially admire the freshness and translucence here. Readers who can find the Ambonnay should not hesitate, as it is truly riveting. The Bout du Clos is the only lieu-dit in the collection that is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a blend that works so brilliantly here. Disgorged: February 2, 2021