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 (2020 base) is a mid-weight, wonderfully nuanced Champagne laced with dried cherry, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and crushed flowers. Savory, spice and earthy notes lend gorgeous layers of nuance. The purity of the flavors is just remarkable. Disgorged: October 2025.

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.