Henri Giraud : Hommage au Pinot Noir

Fermented and aged for 12 months in small barrels from the Argonne forest, some young but not new, this pours bronze and notably open-stanced, with baked apple, dried pear and bay leaf. The Pinot expression of raspberry tart and dried apricot richness is insistent, though, even if it has a little wild side. More oxygen influence than most in this tasting, but a style that will certainly find fans. Pinot Noir from Aÿ, in the Vallée de la Marne.

The NV Hommage au Pinot Noir is a blend from Aÿ and five villages in its periphery, based on 2020. This is an especially airy, aromatic Pinot Noir-based Champagne. The Hommage sees an additional six to nine months in tank after aging in oak. Late bottling yields a particularly subtle Champagne, one that emphasizes nuance over power. Disgorged: March 26, 2024

A delicately stained colour; the nose shows lovely maturity with notes of malt, cereals, bread crumb, dried fruit and almond. Pinot brings its kirsch-like, stone-cherry fruit profile. The nose is complex. The palate is broad and powerful, with fine substance and impressive scope. This is a food wine that showcases Pinot Noir.