New Release. Price £395.00. The individually numbered bottles are gilded with fine gold and sealed closed in the time-honoured clip and printed cork fashion. The Argonne Forest: The Henri Giraud winemaking philosophy and oak programme highlights the unique influence of the Argonne Forest. The House abandoned the use of stainless steel tanks in 2016 and instead uses small oak barrels from the Argonne forest, which lies between Champagne and the Vosges mountains. Coupled with the Aÿ terroir, the resultant wines show profound minerality and finesse. House Style: – Henri Giraud was established in Aÿ in 1625 and remains family-owned and fiercely independent. – Grapes are grown on the chalky slopes of the Montagne de Reims where the House’s long-standing respect for terroir and organic viticulture mean that their vineyards have zero residue of herbicide and pesticide. – Base wines are vinified in Argonne Oak bringing opulence, texture and depth of flavour. – Reserve wines dating back to 1990s from Henri Giraud’s own version of the solera, their unique “perpetual reserve”, are used to add complexity and individuality that simply can’t be acheived by other Domaines. Technical Characteristics: 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay from old, south-facing vineyards in Aÿ. Vinification and aging in 100% new oak. Dosage is 6 grams per litre. Disgorged: December 15, 2020. “It’s certainly more savoury and lifted than the 2012 – and tighter with more tension. And more life ahead of it with real line and still lots of chewiness. Very racy indeed. Quite hard to believe this is informed by Pinot Noir. But there is a great undertow.” 18/20 Jancis Robinson MW “Tart tartine, brioche, green apple, and hints of ripe fresh herbs. Menthol, too. It’s very direct and powerful with vivid acidity and a dry, racy finish. Tight and compressed with an elegant structure. Linear and very energetic. Turns decadent and flavorful at the end. Shows the cold growing season. Subtle and complex” 97/100 James Suckling “Typical Giraud Champagne built on textural opulence and vinous intensity. Apricot, nutmeg, spice, honey vanillin and new oak infuse the 2013 with striking dimension. This is a fabulous showing for a vintage that saw quite a bit of rain and disease pressure right before harvest.” 96/100 Antonio Galloni